UK, US provide urgent flood assistance
FE REPORT | Thursday, 23 June 2022
The UK and the USA on Wednesday announced emergency assistance for Bangladesh to support the people in peril in places most affected by the deluge.
The UK releases an additional emergency funds of £442,548 (over Tk 5.0 crore) to support flood-hit communities in Sylhet division, says a spokesperson for the British High Commission in Dhaka.
This brings the UK's contribution to the flood relief effort in recent weeks to £636,548 (over Tk 7.0 crore).
Announcing the aid, acting British High Commissioner in Dhaka Mr Javed Patel says: "The devastation we have seen from flooding this year in Bangladesh has been heartbreaking."
"The new emergency funding we have released today will be used to support the most vulnerable through cash assistance, shelter management, water and sanitation, and educational materials," he adds.
The UK's funding has been allocated through Start Fund Bangladesh and will be administered through Caritas Bangladesh, Christian Aid, Voluntary Association for Rural Development and World Vision Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, in response to record rainfall and catastrophic flooding across areas of northern Bangladesh, the United States is providing $244,680 (over Tk 2.3 crore) in emergency funding.
It will be channeled through the USAID to deliver critical relief to families and communities hit hardest by this crisis, says a US Embassy spokesperson.
"Some of these areas have not seen floodwaters like this for over 120 years. The United States continues to stand by the government and the people of Bangladesh during these challenging times," cites US Embassy chargé d'affaires Helen LaFave.
Amerce will support its partners on the ground to deliver crucial assistance to people in areas most affected by the deluge, she adds.
The United States has provided more than $8 billion in assistance to Bangladesh over the past 50 years.
"Last year alone, USAID provided over $120 million in humanitarian assistance and an additional $200 million to improve the lives of people in Bangladesh…"
The aid was aimed at expanding food security and economic opportunity, improving health and education, promoting democratic institutions and practices, protecting the environment and increasing resilience to climate change, she adds.