Balance Requested from ACT Alliance: US$ 421,236

Bangladesh has been in the grip of floods for more than a month following heavy monsoon rains and an onrush of water from the hilly regions across the border. This has resulted in a rise of water levels in the major rivers inundating vast areas. A total of 261 sub districts of 40 districts have been severely affected. Already about 33 million people have been affected by the floods, with the numbers still growing. The weather forecast shows no respite and all signs point towards a prolonged flood.

The deluge has washed away thousands of houses leaving people homeless. Families have taken shelter on boats and on any available high ground, highways, embankments, schools and government buildings, leaving the majority living exposed to the elements – drenched by the monsoon rains or scorched under the sun. The affected people are facing an acute shortage of food, shelter, clothing, medicine, safe drinking water and other essential life support. Damage to crops and livestock is extensive and there is a fodder crisis in the northern and north-eastern districts.

ACT members in Bangladesh are already responding to the vast needs in their respective working areas with own means as well as implementing the joint relief programme under this appeal. However, as so many people are affected the ACT members discussed further responses, related to the needs in their working areas and the capacities of the respective members. Therefore this is revised to include additional responses from ACT members Christian Commission for Development in Bangladesh (CCDB) and KOINONIA. They plan to assist additional numbers of the most vulnerable families by providing basic necessities such as food, shelter, mosquito nets, livelihood support and grants for house repairs.

The ACT Co-ordinating Office is in contact with the other ACT members about further responses.

For the Joint Proposal mentioned under this appeal we refer to the original Appeal issued on 22 July 2004.

Project Completion Date:

Initial joint emergency phase - 31 August 2004

CCDB - 31 January 2005

KOINONIA - 31 October 2004

NB: An additional amount of US$ 3,000 has been added for ACT co-ordination/communication.

Signed by:

Thor-Arne Prois
Director, ACT Co-ordinating Office