Rehabilitation of Flood Affected

Appeal Target: US$ 1,257,483

Balance Requested from ACT Alliance:  US$ 1,088,632

Heavy rainfall in late July and early August 2007 along with the onset of flooding by Himalayan-fed rivers in Bangladesh resulted in severe inundation and destruction in several districts.  Government reports estimated that more than nine million people were affected in 39 districts of which 400,000 were living in temporary shelters. This severe flooding destroyed houses, roads, farmland and gardens, fishponds, schools and health clinics and isolated communities from essential health services, market centres and schools. Marginal communities living close to the riverbanks were the worst affected.

Regular flooding and river erosion have an adverse long-term impact on the livelihoods of the people residing in the affected communities. Economic and social activities are disrupted as homesteads are damaged, crops and fruit and timber trees are washed away, and associated agricultural jobs which many landless people rely on is lost. Seasonal hunger further adds to the vulnerability of those affected by the floods.

The original ACT appeal was issued 28 September 2007 to include ACT Bangladesh Forum member Rangpur Dinajpur Rural Service (RDRS)- LWF/WS.  This revision has been made to include two further ACT members: Christian Commission for Development in Bangladesh (CCDB), assisting communities with housing repairs, cash-for-work and livelihood recovery support, and Social Health and Education Development (SHED) Board, assisting communities with housing repairs, seeds and fishpond rehabilitation.

The crisis phase responses by local ACT members in Bangladesh are also shown in this appeal as now complete and fully funded.

The Co-ordinating Office expects to receive a further request for revision of this appeal in November from ACT member Christian Aid, for inclusion of a rehabilitation programme working through their local partner consortium in Bangladesh.

Project Completion Date:

RDRS              -           30 June 2008 (9 months)
CCDB              -           31 March 2008 (6 months)
SHED              -           31 March 2008 (6 months)

Reporting schedule:

Summary of Appeal Targets, Pledges/Contributions Received and Balance Requested:

Signed by:
John Nduna
Director, ACT Co-ordiinating Office