UNITED NATIONS CONTINUES TO MEET NEEDS OF FLOOD-STRICKEN BANGLADESH

UNITED NATIONS CONTINUES TO MEET NEEDS OF FLOOD-STRICKEN BANGLADESH

NEW YORK, 20 August (OCHA) -- The United Nations, after appealing for $210 million last week to meet the needs of flood-ravaged Bangladesh, is continuing to promote the rehabilitation and recovery of the Bangladeshi people.  For example, the World Food Programme (WFP) has already distributed almost 13,000 metric tons of food; the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is working to meet the water and sanitation needs of over a million families; and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has contributed 11 million water purification tablets.

The situation remains dire in flood-stricken areas, with many areas still under water.  Acute shortages of seeds seriously threaten the rice harvest, and the number of new cases of diarrhoea and other communicable diseases is increasing.  Since 12 July, 182,186 cases of diarrhoea, and 1,841 cases of Dengue fever have been reported.  Since 4 August, a further 34,697 cases of dysentery, 5,256 eye infections, and 23,957 cases of skin disease have been registered.

For its part, the Government of Bangladesh has provided its people with over 48,000 metric tons of rice.  It has also set aside $1 million for housing reconstruction and $40,700 for clothing.

Other activities carried out by United Nations agencies include the WFP’s distribution of over 100,000 polypropylene bags, and the provision of five medical teams by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).  In addition, the UNDP is providing shelter to 16,000 families, agricultural assistance to 98,800 families, oral rehydration salts to 20,000 families, and 800,000 packets of medicine.

For further information, please call:  Stephanie Bunker, OCHA New York, tel.: 917 367 5126, mobile: 917 892 1679; or Elizabeth Byrs, OCHA Geneva, tel.: 41 22 917 2653, mobile: 41(0) 79 473 4570.

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