United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has predicted this year's monsoon flooding in Bangladesh may be the longest since 1988.
The situation is still evolving, and it is unlikely that the water will start receding before next month, read an OCHA daily noon briefing highlights on its website on Tuesday (July 21).
As of Tuesday, more than 2.4 million people were impacted across 18 districts, including 56,000 people displaced and taking refuge in government shelters and at least 54 people reportedly died as a result, it stated.
Nearly 550,000 homes were inundated and flood protection infrastructure such as embankments and dams were damaged till Tuesday, OCHA added.
The UN and humanitarian partners are supporting the government-led response efforts by providing emergency food packets, water purification facilities, hygiene and dignity kits, and emergency shelter supplies.
The UN Central Emergency Response Fund recently provided UN agencies with US$5.2 million in early funding to help families most at risk.
This anticipatory funding has since 11 July allowed partners to reach communities early with key assistance, including the distribution of sealable drums to protect agricultural equipment, and hygiene, dignity and health kits, as well as cash assistance.
Flood response and recovery efforts are further complicated as they take place concurrently with the ongoing recovery response to Cyclone Amphan, as well as in the Covid-19 pandemic context.
