UNRC visits Sylhet to discuss lessons learnt in response to flood-affected areas

UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh, Gwyn Lewis, met with government, UN and NGO official and discussed the lessons learnt from some of the key projects of the Flash Flood Humanitarian Response Plan implemented following the devastating floods in Sylhet that hit the region in summer of last year.

She met Deputy Commissioner of Sylhet Md. Mozibor Rahman, regional non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and UN agencies' representatives, said the UN Information Centre – Dhaka on Sunday.

In support of the government, the United Nations and NGO partners launched the large-scale Flash Flood Humanitarian Response Plan in July 2022 to provide lifesaving support to vulnerable communities in the five worst hit districts.

At the meeting with NGOs, Gwyn Lewis said that “the dedication of the partners and their efforts to reach the most vulnerable is incredibly impressive” and she looked forward to continue to work with them to strengthen early warning and preparedness.

Among the themes discussed at the meetings were the implementation of the risk information and early warning system, information management, food security and livelihoods, and protection of vulnerable populations.

It may be mentioned that the Flash Flood Humanitarian Response Plan aimed to mobilise efforts to tackle the consequences of the floods has been produced by the Humanitarian Coordination Task Team (HCTT) jointly headed by UN Resident Coordinator and the honorable Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR), MD Kamrul Hasan.

A total of 20.45 million US dollars have been provided for essential needs of those affected by floods. 468,408 people in five heavily impacted districts of Sunamganj, Netrokona, Sylhet, Habiganj, and Moulvibazar were reached.

An estimated 7.2 million people have been affected by flooding and water congestion in the nine northeastern districts of Sylhet, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Netrakona, Kishorganj, Brahmanbaria, Mymensing, and Sherpur.

The extent of the flooding surpassed any in previous decades including the ones in 1998 and 2004.