UN Delivers Food Aid to Flood-Ravaged Bangladesh

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) launched an emergency response to assist communities hit by severe floods in northeastern Bangladesh, reliefweb reported yesterday.

Since June 27th, WFP’s Sylhet Field Office has distributed fortified biscuits to over 23,000 families in Sylhet and Sunamganj districts, the source mentioned.

“Our goal is to ensure the most vulnerable families, already struggling, can meet their basic food needs,” said Simone Parchment, WFP Bangladesh Deputy Director. The devastating floods, caused by heavy rains in Bangladesh and upstream India, have impacted roughly 1.4 million people.

The WFP partnered with local NGOs for this initial food distribution. They plan to continue their support through cash assistance for the initial 23,000 families and an additional 48,000 households identified as needing help.

Torrential rains in Bangladesh triggered landslides in early June burying alive at least nine people and forcing thousands to flee to higher ground.

Also, the powerful cyclone Remal that smashed into low-lying Bangladesh and India killed at least 65 people earlier in May.