Balance Requested from ACT Alliance: US$ 892,199

The overall flood situation in Bangladesh arising from severe monsoon rains and overflowing rivers is now improving, at least temporarily. However floods have already created widespread devastation claiming lives, damaging or completely destroying houses (especially the flimsy shelters of the poor), livestock, crops, farmlands, roads, bridges, culverts, embankments and buildings in rural areas. The extent of flooding in 2004 has already caused more widespread damage than previous major floods in 1998 and 1988.

In total, 45 Districts (out of total 64) across Bangladesh were severely flooded affecting an estimated 4- 5 million people. An estimated 25-30% of field crops have flood damage. About 16,000 kilometres of national roads and 285 kilometres of railway have suffered serious damage. An initial survey shows that 10,000 kilometres of rural roads and 3,494 bridges and culverts have also been damaged or destroyed. The death toll has risen to 638 since the beginning the flood.

This appeal revision is to include the proposals of a further three members of the Bangladesh ACT Forum - Social Health & Education Development (SHED), Rangpur Dinajpur Rural Service (RDRS) and

Church of Bangladesh Social Development Programme (CBSDP). The proposals include agricultural rehabilitation, livelihood, cash for work, housing construction/repairs and raising of homestead ground as well as some disaster preparedness training.

The proposals by the other two members of the Bangladesh ACT Forum - KOINONIA and Christian Commission for Development in Bangladesh (CCDB) - remain the same as in Revision 1 of the Appeal issued on 5 August 2004. The Joint Emergency Appeal, issued under the original appeal on 22 July 2004, including all members of the Bangladesh ACT Forum, also remains unchanged.

Project Completion Date:

Joint Emergency Appeal/Bangladesh ACT Forum - 31 August 2004

CCDB - 31 January 2005

KOINONIA - 31 October 2004

RDRS - 28 February 2005

SHED - 28 February 2005

CoB - 28 February 2005

Jessie Kgoroeadira
Acting Director, ACT Co-ordinating Office