Staff Reporter :
UNICEF has expressed deep concern over the devastating flood situation in the north-eastern region of Bangladesh, which has affected over 2,000,000 people, including more than 772,000 children.
“As waters rise, children are the most vulnerable, facing heightened risks of drowning, malnutrition, deadly waterborne diseases, the trauma of displacement, and potential abuse in overpopulated shelters,” Sheldon Yett, UNICEF Representative to Bangladesh, stated on Friday.
“Our priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of children and adolescents. In coordination with the Government of Bangladesh and local stakeholders, we have already distributed safe water to more than 100,000 people for over five days, and these efforts are ongoing,” he added.
UNICEF has also distributed over 3,000 ten-liter water containers and is urgently bringing in additional emergency supplies to the affected communities in case the situation worsens.
“While schools are closed for Eid vacation from June 13 to July 2, over 810 government schools in the Sylhet division have been flooded, and almost 500 are being used as flood shelters. Additionally, almost 140 community clinics are also affected by floodwaters,” Yett noted.
UNICEF further mentioned that Child Protection Social Workers are providing support to mitigate potential violence and counseling to help children overcome trauma during this difficult time. “The rivers are flowing dangerously high, and the situation is expected to worsen over the next 24 to 48 hours,” Yett warned.