From the middle of June, the north-eastern region of Bangladesh experienced flash floods for the third time this year, and the third wave played havoc with people’s lives and livelihoods in 9 northeastern districts of Bangladesh, with Sunamganj and Sylhet most severely affected.
At its peak, the flood affected 7.2 million in just the seven districts of Sylhet. Around 4 million remain affected. According to the Health Emergency and Control Room of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), 84 people died due to the floods from May 17 to June 25 in Sylhet, Mymensingh and Rangpur divisions.
An encouraging feature of the nation’s response to the flood has been the willingness of people and organisations from various sections of society to step forward in their own capacity and stand by the victims. Celebrities, social media influences, clubs and societies from within the country as well as the entire diaspora have stepped up to be counted at a level not seen before.
Farzana Sharmin, Vice-President of the Inner Wheel Club of Dhaka Uptown, expressed her desire to stand by the flood victims on June 18. Determined to support the helpless people of Sylhet, Nafisa Tarannum, the chapter’s president, immediately issued a call for all the clubs of Inner Wheel District 345 to come forward and help the flood victims in Sylhet.
Inner Wheel is an international women’s organisation that aims “to create friendship, service and understanding.” It has local chapters in towns and cities in over 100 countries, and enjoys consultative status at the United Nations.
The chapters, or clubs that came forward to lend their hand in support of the initiative were: Inner Wheel Club of Dhaka Buriganga, Inner Wheel Club of Bailey Garden, Inner Wheel Club of New Ramna, Inner Wheel Club of Lasai Hill, Inner Wheel Club of Kishoreganj, Inner Wheel Club of Krishnachura, Inner Wheel Club of Paradise, Inner Wheel Club of Dhaka North, Inner Wheel Club of Dhaka, Inner Wheel Club of Karnaphuli, Inner Wheel Club of Cox’s Bazar, Inner Wheel Club of Green Bailey, Inner Wheel Club of Greenhill Chattogram.
“We also got a huge response through social media,” Nafisa said, before explaining what motivated them to get involved in the relief effort.
“At present, the people of Sylhet are living in unspeakable misery due to the sudden flood. They have lost everything, including their homes, and they are suffering from a lack of food,” she said. “Given the social mission of Inner Wheel Club, we just knew we had to mobilise whatever resources we could and stand by them, otherwise we would be failing that mission.”
Secretary of Dhaka Uptown, Suraiya Akter Chishty distributed chira, molasses, biscuits, saline, candles, and matchboxes among the flood victims at Sunamganj Sadar Upazila Lalpur, Amberi Ghat area on the first day. On the second day, chira, molasses, biscuits, saline, rice, pulses, salt, candles, and matchboxes were distributed among 300 families at Haoria Alipur of Jamalganj Upazila, Islampur, Islampur Baghati, Mashalghat, Shibpur village. Social worker Md. Tofazzal Hossain, Khandaker Shahidul, and Shagor Mia also accompanied them in the distribution process.
Source: United News of Bangladesh