Extensive flooding has affected over two million people in north-eastern Bangladesh, following weeks of heavy monsoon rainfall that have submerged homes and devastated farmland.
Much of the Sylhet district (75 percent), including over half the area's crops and paddy fields, are submerged, threatening livelihoods and food security.
According to reports from the water development board, widespread flooding was triggered by prolonged torrential rain and water runoff from the hilly regions upstream on the border with India, which caused four rivers to swell beyond their danger marks.
Water and sanitation infrastructure across the region has suffered major damage. Hundreds of schools were flooded. Dozens of child protection community hubs — UNICEF-supported facilities hosting a range of activities for children — were also flooded and partially damaged.
Bangladesh is used to flooding, but climate change is making floods more intense and less predictable, making it impossible for families to stay safe, let alone plan ahead," said Khondoker Golam Tawhid, Programme Head, Disaster Risk Management Programme, BRAC.
The worst-affected areas are receiving emergency health, nutrition, safe water and sanitation, from BRAC, funded by UNICEF.
