HSBC, BRAC launch Tk10cr flood rehabilitation programme
Minister for Finance and Planning Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury MP formally inaugurated the HSBC-BRAC initiative to support the recovery and rehabilitation of communities worst affected by the recent floods in Chattogram.
HSBC Bangladesh has committed Tk10 crore to support the recovery and rehabilitation of communities affected by recent flash floods in Chattogram Division.
BRAC will implement a seven-month programme to rebuild homes, restore livelihoods, rehabilitate schools and improve access to safe water and sanitation, according to a press release.
The programme will include six months of field implementation followed by one month of reporting and project close-out.
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It will focus on Ward No 38 of Chattogram City Corporation, Satkania and Banshkhali upazilas in Chattogram district, and Chakaria upazila in Cox's Bazar district.
Persistent heavy rainfall and upstream runoff caused flash flooding, landslides and prolonged waterlogging across 10 severely affected districts, affecting more than 1.04 million people.
The floods damaged homes, schools, sanitation facilities, water sources and agricultural land, leaving many families in need of longer-term recovery assistance.
An event marking the initiative was held today (30 August) at Chattogram Circuit House.
Minister for Finance and Planning Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury MP attended as chief guest.
Bangladesh Bank Director Swarup Kumar Chowdhury, Chattogram Divisional Commissioner Dr Md Ziauddin, and Chattogram Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Mohammad Zahidul Islam Miah attended as special guests.
HSBC Bangladesh Chief Executive Officer Md Mahbub ur Rahman and BRAC Director for the Disaster Risk Management Programme and Climate and Environmental Innovation Programme Dr Md Liakath Ali also spoke.
The initiative will repair and rehabilitate 50 flood-damaged schools and distribute learning materials.
It will repair or reconstruct 250 damaged homes and 400 household latrines, alongside rehabilitating 30 tube wells.
The programme will provide livelihood restoration support to 300 particularly vulnerable households and need-based agricultural inputs to 600 vulnerable farming households.
"At HSBC, our responsibility goes beyond business to uplift the communities we serve," Mahbub said.
"Through our partnership with BRAC, we are investing in homes, livelihoods and critical services to help families recover and build lasting resilience against climate challenges," he added.
Liakath said BRAC had provided immediate humanitarian assistance to affected communities during the disaster, but longer-term support was also needed to rebuild lives and livelihoods.
"Through this project, we have undertaken initiatives to support flood-affected communities in the Chattogram region in restoring their homes, access to safe water and sanitation, livelihoods and education-related infrastructure," he said.
The programme will prioritise female-headed households, families with persons with disabilities, older people, pregnant and lactating women, and other vulnerable groups.
The initiative aims to support long-term climate-resilient recovery through collaboration with government agencies, local administrations and affected communities.
