WFP provides emergency food aid to karail fire survivors
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today provided emergency food assistance to families affected by the devastating fire that swept through Karail slum on 25 November.
From BTCL Girls' High School, near the affected area where hundreds of families have taken temporary shelter after losing almost all their belongings, WFP – in collaboration with the Department of Disaster Management (DDM), Dhaka North City Corporation, and in partnership with Eco Social Development Organization (ESDO) – distributed High Energy Biscuits (HEBs) to 1,900 families.
Each family received a 5kg carton of HEBs, a ready-to-eat product fortified with essential vitamins, minerals, protein and carbohydrates. The biscuits require no cooking or water and are light and compact, making them suitable for emergency situations. The distribution will help families meet about three days of nutritional needs.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
WFP began its operations in Bangladesh in 1974 and has since supported millions of people through emergency and resilience-building programmes. HEBs are also widely used in Bangladesh's school feeding programmes, which WFP has supported since 2001. In 2024 alone, the agency responded to Cyclone Remal and multiple floods, reaching 2.8 million people with emergency food, cash and recovery assistance.
"Following today's distribution, WFP will continue to coordinate with local authorities and humanitarian partners to monitor the situation and stands ready to provide additional assistance if needed," said Simone Parchment, WFP Country Director.
