3 Aug 2004 - Ashit - Report on the recent floods
An update from World Vision on the floods that have devastated much of Bangladesh
You may well have seen in the media news of the terrible floods that have swept through parts of Bangladesh. The bad news is, the area where Ashit lives, has been affected. Many parts of the country are flooded and many families had to temporarily leave their homes. Newly planted crops have been damaged.
However, despite the problematic situation, there is much that is positive. One of the ways we have been using your support is training the community so they can be prepared for situations like this. Floods are a fact of life in Bangladesh and the people of Nawabgonj are learning to deal with annual floods and their impacts.
The people of Nawabgonj are well prepared
Our development programmes help communities deal with reoccurring disasters to make sure that they can eventually live independently without the support of World Vision. We help them set up Disaster Committees who plan and prepare for the event of a flood. Typically, they agree evacuation plans and manage the storage of emergency supplies in secure areas so people affected by a disaster can be supported. Committee members receive special training and selected volunteers learn to evacuate children and vulnerable adults to safe places.
Additional support is already in place
This year, the floods have been far worse than usual and the support needed exceeds the provisions that the community has set aside. For a situation like this, the project has its own emergency budget and, if needed, we provide additional support. Local government has been well prepared and is active already, providing relief supplies to the worst struck areas if needed.
Our colleagues in Bangladesh are working with the families and if you do not hear from us, please be assured that Ashit and his family are well. We will contact you separately should we hear any news to the contrary.
You may well have seen in the media news of the terrible floods that have swept through parts of Bangladesh. The bad news is, the area where Ashit lives, has been affected. Many parts of the country are flooded and many families had to temporarily leave their homes. Newly planted crops have been damaged.
However, despite the problematic situation, there is much that is positive. One of the ways we have been using your support is training the community so they can be prepared for situations like this. Floods are a fact of life in Bangladesh and the people of Nawabgonj are learning to deal with annual floods and their impacts.
The people of Nawabgonj are well prepared
Our development programmes help communities deal with reoccurring disasters to make sure that they can eventually live independently without the support of World Vision. We help them set up Disaster Committees who plan and prepare for the event of a flood. Typically, they agree evacuation plans and manage the storage of emergency supplies in secure areas so people affected by a disaster can be supported. Committee members receive special training and selected volunteers learn to evacuate children and vulnerable adults to safe places.
Additional support is already in place
This year, the floods have been far worse than usual and the support needed exceeds the provisions that the community has set aside. For a situation like this, the project has its own emergency budget and, if needed, we provide additional support. Local government has been well prepared and is active already, providing relief supplies to the worst struck areas if needed.
Our colleagues in Bangladesh are working with the families and if you do not hear from us, please be assured that Ashit and his family are well. We will contact you separately should we hear any news to the contrary.