US emergency relief for flood-hit people in Bangladesh soon

Flood situation in Sunamganj. Photo. Abu Sufian Jewel=UNB

Dhaka, June 22 - The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is providing over Tk 2.3 crore ($244,680) of emergency funding to deliver critical relief to families and communities hit hardest by floods.

The emergency support is coming in response to record-level rainfall and catastrophic flooding across areas of northern Bangladesh.

“Some of these areas have not seen floodwaters like this for over 120 years. The United States continues to stand by the government and the people of Bangladesh during these challenging times and will support our partners on the ground to deliver crucial assistance to people in areas most affected by the deluge,” said U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Helen LaFave on Wednesday.

The United States has provided more than $8 billion in assistance to Bangladesh over the past 50 years.

Last year alone, USAID provided over $120 million in humanitarian assistance and an additional $200 million to improve the lives of people in Bangladesh through programs that expand food security and economic opportunity, improve health and education, promote democratic institutions and practices, protect the environment, and increase resilience to climate change.