UNICEF aids flood-affected children in Bangladesh, 34 years of devastation

In August 2024, eastern Bangladesh experienced catastrophic flooding due to unprecedented monsoon rains and upstream water releases, affecting nearly 5.8 million people, including 2.3 million children. The floods have submerged homes, streets, and fields, forcing families to evacuate to higher ground. UNICEF, alongside local partners, is providing emergency support, including water purification tablets and essential supplies, but more funding is urgently needed to address the crisis. The health risks posed by stagnant water are significant, particularly for children, as hospitals struggle to manage the influx of patients. UNICEF is also focusing on child protection services, malnutrition screenings, and delivering humanitarian cash transfers to assist families in meeting their immediate needs. The situation is exacerbated by previous floods in northern Bangladesh and Cyclone Remal, which collectively impacted over 13 million people. The ongoing climate crisis is a major factor in the increasing frequency and severity of such extreme weather events in Bangladesh. According to the UNICEF Children’s Climate Risk Index, children in the country are among the most vulnerable globally to climate-related hazards. This highlights the urgent need for comprehensive interventions to protect children’s rights and well-being in the face of climate change. UNICEF is calling for $35.3 million to support critical, lifesaving interventions for affected children and pregnant or lactating women. The organization emphasizes that whenever children are in need, it is committed to providing assistance and addressing the long-term impacts of these disasters on their futures.