Japan providing assistance worth $1.0m to flood-affected areas through UNHCR, UNICEF

The government of Japan has decided to provide the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) with assistance worth USD 1.0 million in response to the flash floods in northern and south-eastern Bangladesh.

Severe flooding began on August 17, 2024, due to active monsoons, causing significant rainfall and rising river levels in 11 districts. Approximately 4.71 million people have been affected.

Many are still stranded without food and relief, with reportedly 71 deaths and 207,191 people seeking refuge, according to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (as of 7th September).

With this Japanese emergency assistance, UNHCR will shelter 2,000 households, providing non-food items, water, sanitation, and hygiene support in affected areas. UNICEF, for its part, will provide water, sanitation, and hygiene support to 375,000 people in Noakhali, Cumilla, Lakshmipur, Feni, Chattogram, and Moulvibazar.

The interim government is now faced with its first large-scale natural disaster since its swearing-in almost one month ago. Japan wishes to stand firmly with Bangladeshi people. "I hope that through UNHCR and UNICEF, relief supplies such as shelters, water, sanitation, and non-food items will be delivered swiftly to those in need," said IWAMA Kiminori, Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh.

"Japan demonstrates, time and again, its steadfast support to the Rohingya refugee response. This generous contribution to support Bangladesh as it faced devastating floods, will also support UNHCR in swiftly providing emergency assistance to Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar whose shelter were destroyed or severely damaged in recent floods and mudslides brought by heavy rains and monsoons," said Sumbul Rizvi, UNHCR representative in Bangladesh.

"Bangladesh and the refugee camps it hosts are on the frontline of climate change, and both communities are the first responders when disaster strikes. Such support illustrates not just the solidarity of the people of Japan, but also the commitment to stand together with affected communities," she added.

"The recent tragic floods in Bangladesh have left thousands of households, schools and health facilities without safe drinking water and adequate hygiene and sanitation. Children and their families are at high risk of deadly diseases such as dengue, as well as diarrhoea and other water-borne diseases," said Rana Flowers, Representative to UNICEF in Bangladesh.

"UNICEF is honoured to collaborate with the Government of Japan to urgently respond to these critical challenges, implement cutting-edge vector control measures and restore damaged water and sanitation facilities, thereby preventing future disease outbreaks and safeguarding the health and well-being of the most vulnerable children and families."

In addition to the above mentioned commitment, the Government of Japan already provided emergency humanitarian aid worth USD 2.0 million to the Japan Platform, a platform of Japanese NGOs, to launch a programme to provide emergency relief in eastern Bangladesh.

Under this programme, seven Japanese NGOs are currently delivering on the ground various relief materials, including emergency medical care, food, water supply, and daily necessities.

Furthermore, the Japanese Commerce & Industry Association in Dhaka and the Japanese Association in Dhaka donated a total of 200,000 Bangladesh Taka to Bangladesh Red Crescent Society to support individuals and families affected by the floods.

"Sincerely hoping that this 'all-Japan' assistance from the government, businesses, NGOs, and others will help Bangladeshi people to 'build back better'. Japan remains committed, under the strategic partnership between the two countries, to supporting the Government of Bangladesh as well as the people of Bangladesh in recovering from this natural disaster and in setting a pathway towards a more prosperous Bangladesh," said the Japanese Embassy in Dhaka.