CARE Bangladesh braces for response amidst Covid-19 pandemic

CARE Bangladesh has initiated response and recovery with its implementing partners and working closely with the government functionaries to help the flood-affected amid Covid-19 pandemic.

In technical partnership with Centre for Environmental and Geographic Information Services, CARE is undertaking the River Bank Erosion Based Anticipatory Response project to protect and reduce the loss and damage of vulnerable communities from the devastating impacts of riverbank erosion.

"Flood situation is worsening rapidly while waterborne diseases are spreading in some areas. People are already battered by Covid-19 and river erosion is taking a devastating turn in some regions. CARE Bangladesh is doing all it can to respond to the crisis.  As experts have predicted floods will continue till mid-August and concerted efforts are needed from all quarters involving the community, NGOs, UN agencies, donors under the leadership of the government," said Ramesh Singh, CARE Bangladesh Country Director.

"Since the beginning of July, CARE Bangladesh has engaged in anticipatory approach by using forecast based information to take early actions, prior to the flood, to reduce losses and damages. So far, we have evacuated people to flood shelters and safe spaces, disseminated forecasts and risk information, prepared community-level WASH points around evacuation points, repaired and installed latrines, and provided dignity kits and cash support to most vulnerable households in high risk locations," shared Kaiser Rejve, Director, Humanitarian and Resilience Program, CARE Bangladesh.

"Given this prolonged flood, CARE is working persistently to meet the urgent needs during this humanitarian crisis," he added.

As part of recovery and response activity, CARE plans to do cash transfer, distribution of non-food items, provide support to construct home shelters and offer services related to gender-based violence (GBV).