Bangladesh Flood Response 2024
Above: A community consultation in a flood affected area. Photo: Oxfam in Bangladesh.
In August and September 2024, Eastern Flash Floods severely impacted districts in the northern and southeastern regions of Bangladesh. Intense rainfall combined with water releases from upstream sources, exacerbated by a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal, amplified the rain, with reports that some areas received over 180mm of rain in three days.
The flash floods have impacted around 5.82 million people across 11 districts, including Feni and Noakhali districts where more than 3.12 million people have been affected and over 689,000 families marooned.
The flash floods inundated vast areas, displacing people and livestock, damaging infrastructure, agriculture, and livelihoods, and impacting across all socio-economic classes. The floods have further exacerbated vulnerabilities among poor and marginalised groups, particularly women, adolescent girls, children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, minorities, and gender diverse people.
The AHP Response
A six-month, AUD 1 million Australian Humanitarian Partnership response to the floods is being supported by the Australian Government.
Oxfam, along with partners Community Development Centre (CODEC) and Noakhali and Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM) are responding to provide immediate relief and foster long-term recovery for flood-affected communities in Noakhali and Feni districts.
Affected communities will be provided with emergency food and livelihoods support, including multi-purpose cash grants, food rations, hygiene kits and winter clothing. Local youths will be mobilised to repair and clean tube wells to restore crucial access to WASH.
In the early recovery phase, winter vegetable seeds will be provided to households and Cash for Work opportunities will create short-term employment opportunities to repair damaged community infrastructure. New WASH facilities will be constructed to facilitate improved access, including for women and people with disability.
Leadership training, community-based protection mechanisms and awareness raising on WASH will support continued recovery.