UN system adds US$6 million to assist flood affected people

The United Nations system in Bangladesh has mobilised additional funds of US$6 million (approximately Tk 42 crore) to alleviate the sufferings of the flood affected people of the country. This is in addition to UN system assistance of approximately US$11 million since the flood started. This support was made possible through a grant from the Central Emergency Respond Fund (CERF), a global initiative to enhance UN’s response to emergencies, said a press release. The funds will be channeled through WFP, UNICEF, FAO, WHO, UNFPA and UNDP, mainly in the form of food, but also including nutritional supplements, medical services, shelter support, non-food items and actions to prevent the loss of livestock. The UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh, Renata Dessallien, welcomed the grant, and emphasised that the UN system stands by the people of Bangladesh in their hour of need. “Although we hope that the worst of the floods are over, many people are still in dire need of assistance to make ends meet. Many have returned home to find no home at all, as well as their sources of livelihood destroyed’, said, Renata Dessallien. “The new UN system assistance will be used to complement the good work of the Government, and will be targeted at the most vulnerable and impoverished groups”, Dessallien added.