Unicef has issued a stark warning about the dire situation facing over two million children in eastern Bangladesh, where severe flooding has caused widespread devastation.
These floods, the most severe in the region in 34 years, have affected 5.6 million people, with over 50 reported dead and more than 500,000 displaced, Unicef said in a press statement on Friday.
Major rivers in the southeast are overflowing due to unprecedented monsoon rains, leading to submerged homes, streets, and fields in Chittagong and Sylhet divisions.
Families and children are stranded without adequate food and emergency supplies. Rescue operations are ongoing, but access remains challenging in some areas, the UN agency said.
Emma Brigham, deputy representative of Unicef Bangladesh, highlighted the tragic impact on children, saying: “The devastating floods are a grim reminder of the severe effects of extreme weather and the climate crisis on children. Many have lost loved ones, their homes, and schools, leaving them in desperate need.”
Unicef said it has been actively providing aid, including water purification tablets, oral rehydration salts, and other essential supplies. However, more support is urgently needed to address the critical needs of children and prevent further deterioration of their futures.
Since the disaster began, Unicef and its partners have reached over 338,000 people, including 130,000 children, distributing 3.6 million water purification tablets, 25,000 jerry cans, and over 250,000 oral rehydration salt sachets. Despite these efforts, the situation remains urgent, with immediate needs for cash assistance, safe drinking water, hygiene kits, emergency latrines, and life-saving medicines, Unicef said.
The current floods follow earlier disasters, including floods in northern Bangladesh and Cyclone Remal in May, collectively impacting over 13 million people, including 5 million children. Unicef said it urgently requires up to $35.3 million to support critical, life-saving interventions for children and vulnerable groups.
The ongoing climate crisis exacerbates the frequency and severity of such disasters, underscoring the urgent need for global action to mitigate its effects.
Unicef called on world leaders to take decisive action to address climate change and protect the lives of children.
