The Salvation Army provides relief after Bangladesh floods
Salvation Army relief teams are responding to severe flooding in Bangladesh caused by this year’s monsoon season by providing aid to 2,000 families (10,000 people) in the Sirajganj district.
A team commenced distribution on Sunday 19 August, giving out 504 family packs. The following day a second truck loaded with relief goods purchased from Dhaka was sent to vulnerable communities. Subsequently, from today (Wednesday 21 August) Salvation Army teams will continue the distribution using boats to other affected areas with the aim of distributing to 500 families per day. If they are able to accomplish this, they should complete distribution by Friday - bringing much needed aid to those hit hardest by the floods.
Supplies have been purchased locally in an attempt to support the local economy. However, field reports confirm that local food prices continue to increase as a result of the flooding, resulting in significant hardship and suffering to the consumers, and in particular the poor. The price of rice has risen by up to 22 per cent. Lieut-Colonel Ethne Flintoff, the senior Salvation Army officer in Bangladesh, comments: ‘The good news is that although the price of food items has gone up, they are still available on the local market. We purchase from Shahzadpur town and bring the goods by truck over a flood-damaged road to the centre, where we have a secure building in which to store the goods.’
Assistance is being received from the police and military forces in the area, to ensure the security of the relief goods and personnel during distribution. Local BALAKA NGO (Non-Governmental Organisation) staff prepare the beneficiary lists before the team arrive and distribute cards in advance of each day's aid distribution.
A large, modern private hospital has opened up its guest rooms, usually reserved for visiting physicians, for Salvation Army team members. This generous support is proving vital in ensuring team members stay well rested and energised in order to meet the distribution targets.
The current situation is that although water levels have started to go down, people are still stranded and access to most of them is still only by boat.
The rivers around Dhaka are mostly subsiding, however the Ganges River is rising again and is still flowing above danger level. Lieut-Colonel Flintoff asks for prayer that there will be no more torrential rain.
With the flooding affecting such a wide area, local resources are limited. Donations in support of the relief effort are welcome.