DHAKA – The United Nations
World Food Programme (WFP) has provided emergency food assistance to
more than 150,000 people in Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh, a week after the
area was inundated by flash floods.
WFP, in partnership with the Bangladesh Red Crescent
Society and the Australian Government, has used dozens of boats and
trucks to deliver over 100 metric tons of emergency food supplies to the
four worst-affected areas of Chakaria, Pekua, Cox’s Badar Sadar and
Ramu.
Many of those receiving assistance, which consists of vitamin and
mineral-fortified high energy biscuits, have lost their homes,
businesses, farms and livelihoods. They are now vulnerable to food
insecurity and worsening poverty.
“Flash floods and landslides made the distribution of food very
challenging but even remote areas were reached within a matter of
hours,” said Christa Räder, WFP Representative in Bangladesh, noting
that WFP’s operation appropriately complemented the Government’s
emergency response.
Unprecedented rainfall caused flash floods in southern Bangladesh last
week. Thousands of people were affected when areas around Cox’s Bazar
were submerged. The Government’s Disaster Management Information Centre
says that about 120,000 people are still stranded.
In addition to providing food, WFP also offered coordination support
for other humanitarian agencies in the area. It is now conducting an
assessment of remaining humanitarian needs in Cox’s Bazar district.
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