Red Crescent supports 300,000 flood survivors in rebuilding efforts

A year after the devastating south-eastern floods of 2024, more than 302,000 people across Feni, Noakhali and Lakshmipur—the hardest-hit districts—are rebuilding their lives through new livelihoods, housing, healthcare and disaster resilience initiatives, thanks to the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and partner organisations.

From the first hours of the disaster, BDRCS volunteers, working alongside the Bangladesh Army and Navy, rescued 29,004 people and provided emergency relief, including safe water, food and cash assistance. As floodwaters receded, the focus shifted to long-term recovery—restoring homes, health services and livelihoods.

Over the past year, BDRCS and IFRC supported thousands of families to rebuild and recover:

• One thousand four hundred new latrines constructed for improved sanitation
• Six hundred and seventy tube wells repaired or newly installed for safe drinking water
• Fifteen Mother and Child Health Centres renovated and equipped
• One hundred thousand tree saplings and fourteen thousand vegetable seed packets distributed for sustainable recovery
• Forty-seven thousand four hundred and ninety-two families received BDT 6,000 each in unconditional cash support, with additional aid for households with disabilities

Thousands of families also received livelihood grants to restart small businesses and regain income security.

'I lost everything in the flood', said Rubina Khanam Kha, a mother of three from Noakhali. 'With Red Crescent's help, I rebuilt our home, built a latrine and started a small business. My son now sells fish in the market—we no longer beg on the streets'.

Dr Kabir M Ashraf Alam, Secretary General of BDRCS, said, 'The Bangladesh Red Crescent Society has always stood by communities in crisis. With IFRC's support, we have helped thousands rebuild their lives and restore hope. I am deeply grateful to our volunteers and staff for their tireless dedication'.

Alberto Bocanegra, Head of Delegation, IFRC Bangladesh, commended the communities' strength, saying, 'The resilience and determination shown by the flood-affected families are inspiring. IFRC remains committed to helping Bangladesh strengthen preparedness and resilience for future challenges'.

During the emergency phase, BDRCS and IFRC provided lifesaving relief—distributing 569,000 litres of drinking water, 248,700 purification tablets, 70,000 cooked meals and 60,000 dry food packages. Sixteen mobile medical teams treated over 27,000 patients, while 3,681 people received psychosocial support. To prevent disease outbreaks, over 155,000 saline and oral rehydration solution packets and 18,000 dengue test kits were distributed.

The year-long recovery operation underscores the Red Crescent's enduring mission: helping communities build back stronger, safer and more resilient to future disasters.