FAIRFIELD, Conn. (August 1, 2016) — Torrential rainfall across a handful of countries in South Asia has burst river banks, washed entire homes away and left millions in need of humanitarian assistance.
More than 160 people have reportedly been killed, and Save the Children has launched an emergency flood response, including in three of India’s hardest-hit states where nearly 5 million people are currently affected.
Save the Children will immediately begin distributing basic necessities like water, food, tarps, hygiene kits, bed sheets and floor mats to those in greatest need, and initially aims to reach more than 100,000 people in India, including 50,000 children.
"Being prepared enables us to respond quickly and effectively to minimize the effects of any emergency on the lives of children and their families," said Thomas Chandy, head of Save the Children in India.
Save the Children also plans to also mount an emergency response in Bangladesh, where nearly 1.5 million people have been affected by the nation’s worst flooding since 1998.
"The water level of most of the rivers will continue to rise in the next 48 hours, which may cause a deterioration in the flood situation in Bangladesh, according to the Bangladesh Flood Forecasting and Warning Center," said Sharon Hauser, acting Bangladesh Country Director.
"In some places, rivers are flowing at five feet above ‘danger’ levels. Already, more than 400 schools have been closed and there’s an increased risk of diseases like diarrhea and cholera. Save the Children is working with the government to determine how we are best able to support the most vulnerable."
Meanwhile in Nepal, heavy rains have caused severe flooding and landslides in several parts of the country, many of which were impacted by last year’s earthquake. Save the Children is responding in severely affected communities in four districts by providing kitchen and hygiene kits, water and sanitation assistance and health support.
Carolyn Miles, President and CEO of Save the Children said: "Save the Children has a long history of responding to humanitarian crises in the region, including to last year’s earthquake in Nepal. Our thoughts are with the people of India, Bangladesh and Nepal during this difficult time, and we are working swiftly to get people the emergency supplies they need."