UNICEF Bangladesh Situation Report No. 2 (Flash floods in the Northern and Southeastern regions) September 3, 2024 – Bangladesh

Highlights

• Chattogram and Sylhet divisions continue to bear the brunt of severe flooding that began on August 17, 2024, due to active monsoons that brought significant rainfall, leading to rising river levels in 11 districts. Major rivers including Gomti, Muhuri and Halda rose significantly, aggravating the flood situation.

• Some 5.82 million people, including 2.36 million children, have been affected. Many are stranded without food and aid, with a reported 59 deaths and 540,538 people seeking refuge in 4,003 shelters. Rescue operations are still ongoing, but some areas remain inaccessible.

• Since the floods began, UNICEF and its partners have reached 842,482 people (429,666 women) through multisectoral interventions including WASH, child protection, nutrition, education, health and the distribution of life-saving messages.

• To date, 4,186 cases of AWD have been reported in the affected areas (2,203 in Feni and 1,326 in Noakhali), including 880 cases among children.

• To address this outbreak, UNICEF has procured 460,000 ORS sachets, of which 350,000 have been distributed to Noakhali, Feni, Lakhimpur, Khagrachari and Cumilla. In addition, UNICEF is distributing 100,000 zinc dispersible tablets, which will benefit at least 100,000 affected people.

• Social workers and community volunteers sensitized 141,050 community members on critical issues such as prevention of drowning, child marriage, child labor, child trafficking, gender-based violence (GBV), protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), family separation and the use of the Child Helpline (CHL)- 1098.

• UNICEF urgently needs up to US$12.4 million (77 percent of the funding gap) for life-saving, multi-sectoral interventions targeting children, pregnant and breastfeeding women affected by the floods in northern and south-eastern Bangladesh.