BANGLADESH (4 October)
The 2004 massive flooding in July and August of 2004 has affected some 33 million people in 43 districts out of 64, displaced some 1.5 million, and claimed more than 700 people’s lives. A second round of rains of the monsoon arrived in mid-September, and sparked off floods in parts of the southern and central regions, while the third and latest wave has affected the southwest. 350 people have reportedly been killed by waterborne disease and more than 330 000 others affected.
The floods have devastating effects on the agriculture sector. Aus rice, accounting for some 10 percent of paddy production, was damaged during harvesting period. Newly planted Aman rice, the largest crop in the country with area more than 50 percent and production over 40 percent in total cereal production, has been severely affected. Losses occurred in the livestock sector are also very substantial.
Bangladesh is classified as a least developed country as well as a low-income, food deficit country and urgent international assistance is needed for the sectors of food, agriculture, health, nutrition, water, sanitation, family shelter, non-food items, education, protection, economic recovery and infrastructure. An EMOP launched in August appealed for US$ 210 million for projects across nine sectors. The Bangladesh Food and Disaster Management Ministry has reportedly allocated 3 350 tonnes of rice for eight districts in the southwest region. WFP to date has received less than 20 percent of the US$ 74 million needed for the emergency operation, through which people will get food aid in return for repairing roads and building dykes and embankments.