BRAC teams respond to latest Bangladesh flood emergency; 2 million affected

Third wave of flooding since May strikes country

DHAKA — July 7, 2024 —2 million people across Bangladesh have been affected in the third wave of flooding to hit the country since May. 300,000 people are currently stranded in the worst-hit areas. Classes have been halted at approximately 500 schools in Sylhet, in northern Bangladesh, with the buildings either flooded or being used as shelter centers. People are sheltering in local railway stations, boats and rafts.

“It’s monsoon season, so we expect rain and some flooding this time of the year, but we’re definitely seeing more rain this year, it’s becoming harder to predict, and the water is rising quicker,” said Dr Md Liakath Ali, BRAC’s Director of the Climate Change Program, Urban Development Program, and Disaster Risk Management Program. “It’s making it tough for people, especially in low-lying areas, to secure their belongings, to get to shelters in time – particularly pregnant mothers, people living with disabilities, children and older people.

“Bangladeshis are used to flooding, but the water is coming up so high and so quickly in low-lying areas that people are being forced to shelter on anything this time – even rafts made of banana trees.”

BRAC’s teams are on the ground, providing emergency food, water and shelter. Tens of thousands of shelters are open, and the government has allocated cash, food and animal fodder in the affected areas. Hundreds of thousands of people, especially those living in low-lying areas, are stranded in floodwaters, with limited access to food and safe water.

The situation is expected to worsen in the coming week, with heavy rain predicted.

Northeastern Bangladesh has been severely inundated since 27 May. Within two weeks of subsiding, continuous rain since June 17, led to a second wave of flooding. Before the completion of recovery efforts, the third wave struck on 1 July.

About BRAC

BRAC was founded in Bangladesh 52 years ago. Together with government, civil society organizations, communities and businesses, BRAC teams work with over 100 million people living with inequality and poverty to create opportunities to realize human potential. BRAC operates as a solutions ecosystem, including social development programs, social enterprises, humanitarian response, a bank and a university. Outside of Bangladesh, BRAC works with communities in marginalized situations, hard-to-reach areas and post-disaster settings across Asia and Africa, with a particular focus on women and children.

Experts and photos available

• Dr Liakath Ali, and other members of BRAC senior leadership if needed
• Local teams and people affected on the ground
• Photos available for use so long as copyright is included and images are not used out of situational context:
  • Photo 1: Sylhet, northeastern Bangladesh, 6 July 2024, © BRAC
    Caption: People collecting emergency food items in Sylhet, northeastern Bangladesh.
  • Photo 2: Sylhet, northeastern Bangladesh, 6 July 2024, © BRAC
    Caption: A school campus inundated by the flood in Sylhet, northeastern Bangladesh.
  • Photo 3: Jamalpur, northern Bangladesh, 7 July 2024, © BRAC
    Caption: Flooding inundates houses and crops in Jamalpur, northern Bangladesh.
  • Photo 4: Jamalpur, northern Bangladesh, 7 July 2024, © BRAC
    Caption: Flooding inundates houses and crops in Jamalpur, northern Bangladesh.
  • Photo 5: Tangail, central Bangladesh, 7 July 2024, © BRAC
    Caption: BRAC’s field office slowly going under water in Tangail, central Bangladesh.
  • Photo 6: Tangail, central Bangladesh, 7 July 2024, © BRAC
    Caption: Flooding inundates roads and crops in Tangail, central Bangladesh.

Media contacts

• SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA (GMT+10): Sarah-Jane Saltmarsh, Head, Thought Leadership, BRAC:  Phone: +61477 910 903 | WhatsApp: +88017 389 379 85 | [email protected] | 
• DHAKA, BANGLADESH (GMT +6):  Ayan Soofi | Mobile / WhatsApp  +880 1714-414262 | [email protected]
• LONDON, UK: Chris Lyne | Mobile / WhatsApp +44 07365 267617 | [email protected] 
• WASHINGTON, DC (GMT – 5): Mica Bevington | Phone / WhatsApp +1-202-290-9264 | [email protected]
  

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