August 22, 2024

Bangladesh: “Worst floods in three decades”

5,000 BRAC staff providing emergency relief support

Collage of Rohingya refugees BRAC staff distributing dry food, water and emergency saline to people stranded in Khagrachari, southeastern Bangladesh

DHAKA — August 22, 2024 — Three million people are stranded in catastrophic flash floods in Bangladesh spanning eight districts across the eastern and southern parts of the country. At least one person has been reported dead in floodwaters so far. Fast-moving water has inundated vast areas of farmland, destroying livelihoods, homes, and crops. 3 million people are stranded, many without electricity, food or water. In the southeastern district of Feni, one of the hardest-hit regions, over 350,000 residents have been plunged into darkness due to severed electricity lines. Breakdowns in telecommunications, interruptions to transport, and flooded roads and highways are complicating rescue efforts.

“These are the worst floods we have seen in three decades,” says Dr Md Liakath Ali, BRAC’s Director of Climate Change, Urban Development, and Disaster Risk Management. “Entire villages, all of the families who lived in them, and everything they owned – homes, livestock, farmlands, fisheries – have been washed away. People had no time to save anything. There are people stranded across the country, and we are expecting the situation to worsen in many places as rains continue.”

BRAC teams on the ground

Founded in Bangladesh 52 years ago, BRAC has mobilized 5,000 of its employees on the ground. BRAC staff are supporting communities with rescue efforts, dry food, safe drinking water and emergency medicine across the impacted regions, and have already released BDT 30 million (USD 250,000) to support the first wave of relief efforts.

Global appeal

BRAC has launched a global appeal for funds. Donations can be made in the U.S. at bracusa.org. Donors in Bangladesh can support efforts here.

Donate to Bangladesh appeal

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
* BRAC senior leadership, 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: Khagrachari, southeastern Bangladesh, 22 August 2024, © BRAC
Caption: BRAC staff distributing dry food, water and emergency saline to people stranded in Khagrachari, southeastern Bangladesh.
Photo 5: Khagrachari, southeastern Bangladesh, 22 August 2024, © BRAC
Caption: A BRAC staff member carries a bag of dry food, water and emergency medicine to reach families stranded in Khagrachari, southeastern 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, Director of Communications & External Engagement, BRAC UK | Mobile / WhatsApp +44 07365 267617 | [email protected]
WASHINGTON, DC (GMT – 5): Mica Bevington, Director of Communications, BRAC USA | Phone / WhatsApp +1-202-290-9264 | [email protected]