The Chinese Embassy in Dhaka on Wednesday donated $100,000 to the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) to support its ongoing emergency response for communities affected by the recent floods and landslides across the country.
The humanitarian contribution was officially handed over by Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen at a ceremony held at the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society National Headquarters in the city.
The donation was received on behalf of BDRCS by its Chairman Md. Abdus Salam.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Yao Wen said, "The recent heavy rains in Bangladesh have triggered severe flooding, claiming many lives, leaving millions of people stranded, and causing extensive damage to farmland and infrastructure. The Chinese people deeply sympathize with the people of Bangladesh during this difficult time."
On behalf of the Red Cross Society of China, we are handing over $100,000 in emergency cash assistance to the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society. This contribution reflects the sincere concern and solidarity of the Chinese Government and people with the people of Bangladesh, he continued.
The Ambassador further noted that China has consistently extended support whenever Bangladesh has faced disasters or humanitarian crises.
He said China has been supporting Bangladesh's disaster preparedness capacity through annual training programmes and the provision of flood response equipment. Last year, China donated emergency response equipment to the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society.
BDRCS Chairman said, "With this vital support, we will be able to significantly scale up our emergency response by providing emergency food packages to families whose kitchens and food supplies have been washed away; Distributing safe drinking water and mobile water purification units to help prevent outbreaks of waterborne diseases; Providing essential hygiene kits, temporary shelter materials, and emergency medical teams to vulnerable and isolated communities."
Beyond immediate relief, this contribution will also support our long-term recovery and rehabilitation efforts, helping affected families rebuild their homes and restore their livelihoods, he added.
During the programme, BDRCS presented an overview of its emergency response activities carried out up to 21 July.
The presentation highlighted that Tk 3.39 million had been released for emergency operations.
In addition, BDRCS has distributed more than 2,500 food packages, evacuated and rescued over 22,000 people, provided medical assistance to more than 2,000 people, distributed over 37,000 litres of safe drinking water, mobilized 12 Red Crescent Units, and deployed more than 3,500 volunteers to support the emergency response.