US provides $350,000 in humanitarian aid for flood-hit people
Staff Reporter :
The United States government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has announced a $350,000 humanitarian assistance package to support communities in the Sylhet and Sunamganj districts severely impacted by the monsoon floods in June.
The funding will be allocated to the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society for the distribution of multi-purpose cash assistance. This aid aims to address the immediate needs of those affected by the catastrophic flooding, providing essential support for purchasing food, water, and other critical supplies.
The recent monsoon rains have caused devastating floods in northeastern Bangladesh, displacing nearly 30,000 people into shelter centres and affecting over 2.5 million individuals across the Sylhet and Sunamganj districts. The situation remains dire, with further heavy rainfall expected to potentially lead to additional short-term flooding in these low-lying areas.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, U.S. Ambassador Peter Haas emphasised the longstanding commitment of the United States to support Bangladesh in times of natural disaster.
“The United States has stood by Bangladesh to respond to natural disasters for more than 50 years. Through USAID, we are proud to partner with the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society and support the communities affected most by this latest tragedy with cash assistance for purchasing food and water, maintaining livelihoods, repairing shelters, and other necessary items,” said Ambassador Haas.
Since Bangladesh’s independence, the US government has invested over $8 billion to improve the lives of Bangladeshis. USAID’s current annual budget of $200 million for development and $100 million for humanitarian assistance supports a wide range of programmes aimed at enhancing food security, expanding economic opportunities, improving disaster risk reduction, advancing health and education, and promoting democratic institutions and environmental protection.
USAID’s initiatives in Bangladesh focus on various sectors, including food security, economic development, disaster risk reduction, health, education, environmental sustainability, and climate change resilience.
The agency continues to work in partnership with local organisations to build resilience and support sustainable development across the country.
