Monsoon rains have cause one of the worst floods in Bangladesh, that claimed the lives of at least 54 people and stranded millions.
As floodwaters recede slowly, Bangladeshi authorities are preparing for the spread of waterborne diseases and struggling to get clean drinking water to people affected by the floods, reported Reuters.
Epidemic Risk
An official at the Disaster Management Ministry warned of an epidemic risk as floodwaters recede slowly. He also pointed to the potential outbreak of waterborne diseases if clean water is not provided soon. He said: “Our top priority is to ensure the availability of safe drinking water.”
According to the Directorate General of Health Services, waterborne diseases have led to the hospitalization of about 3,000 people over the past 24 hours in flood-hit areas. Meanwhile, many stranded people cannot access healthcare facilities, because many areas remain submerged in floodwaters.
Furthermore, Agriculture Ministry officials warned that this poses a significant risk to crops.
Persistent Disaster
A lot of people in Bangladesh remains stranded as a result of the heavy floods, and in urgent need of food, clean water, healthcare and dry clothes. The floodwaters have blocked roads in many remote areas, obstructing rescue efforts and aid deliveries.
In the event that the monsoon rains continued, the floods could persist as water levels were receding slowly, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department noted. The heavy floods have forced around 470,000 people to take refuge in 3,300 emergency shelters scattered across 11 districts hit by the floods.
According to authorities, there are about 600 medical teams providing treatment, in addition to the cooperation of the army, air force, navy and the border guard in rescue operations.
Children in Danger
On Friday, the UN Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) warned that over 2 million children in eastern Bangladesh are at risk as a result of the sweeping floods that have impacted 5.6 million people. The floodwaters have submerged homes, streets, and fields, stranding millions of children and families and cutting them out of food and emergency relief supplies.
The Deputy Representative of UNICEF Bangladesh, Emma Brigham, said: “The devastating floods in the eastern parts of Bangladesh are a tragic reminder of the relentless impact of extreme weather events and the climate crisis on children.” She highlighted the UNICEF’s relief efforts. “UNICEF is on the frontlines providing water purification tablets, oral rehydration salts and other essential supplies, but more funds are needed to reach these children and prevent an even more devastating impact on their futures,” she added.
Critical Situation
According to the UN agency, people and children in Bangladesh are in urgent need of cash assistance, safe drinking water, hygiene kits, oral rehydration salts and emergency life-saving medicines, as well as primary healthcare services to treat sick newborns and help pregnant women.
The recent floods have come immediately after the floods in north Bangladesh in June and Cyclone Remal in May. Collectively, the three emergencies have affected more than 13 million people in Bangladesh, including 5 million children. As a result, the UNICEF is urgently appealing for $35mn to provide life-saving supplies for children and pregnant and lactating women.
Additionally, the South Asian country is reeling from weeks-long civil unrest and nationwide violent protests that forced ex-Prime Minister, Sheikha Hasina, to resign and flee Bangladesh.
Climate Change Effect
Although flooding is common in Bangladesh and monsoon rains cause destruction every year, climate change is making floods more severe and less predictable. According to the UNICEF Children’s Climate Risk Index, Bangladeshi children are the most vulnerable in the world to climate and environmental hazards.
In the light of this, Emma Brigham, said: “Year on year, the lives of millions of children in Bangladesh are being ravaged by floods, heatwaves and cyclones. Climate change is clearly changing children’s lives.”
Brigham called for global action to protect children from climate change impacts. “We call on global leaders to act urgently, and take strong measures to mitigate the effects of climate change before it is too late for children,” she said.
