South Asian floods crisis 'has only just begun'
“The crisis has only just begun” - ActionAid responds to devastating floods across South Asia
ActionAid is responding to
Heavy monsoon rain has caused flash flooding and landslides across the region, with entire villages swept away under strong water currents. Vital infrastructure such as homes, roads and bridges has been destroyed and thousands of people are evacuating to temporary shelters.
Whilst heavy are rains are not unusual at this time of year, ActionAid are witnessing usual ‘dry zone’ areas now under water, where people’s livestock has drowned and crops have been decimated. With the monsoon season just beginning, the crisis is only set to deepen with more heavy rain forecast in the coming weeks.
Sonya Ruparel, ActionAid International’s Humanitarian Director said of the crisis,
“We are deeply concerned for the communities we are working with. People living in dry zone areas have been taken by surprise and are unprepared for flooding of this magnitude with women and children most at risk.”
“The situation in Myanmar is particularly worrying where almost 50% of the country’s GDP is from the agricultural industry. With heavy rains destroying huge swathes of crop fields, the flooding is set to devastate the economy and leave thousands of people without an income.”
“The international community must dig deep and support the immediate recovery needs of affected communities, as well as provide long term assistance to those who have lost their livelihood to ensure the economic impact of the agricultural destruction is eased. “
ActionAid is responding in Myanmar, Bangladesh and India by providing temporary shelters for displaced communities, distributing clean water and food, and providing items such as clothing and medicine; as well working with communities to develop alternative sources of livelihood and ensuring women remain protected during their time in refuge.
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Notes
In Myanmar, an estimated 217,000 people have been affected across Sagaing, Kachin, Shan, Mandalay, Chin, Rakhine, Kayin, Mon, Bago, Magway, Ayeyarwady and Yangon. Forty six people have been reported dead so far, with this figure is set to increase as authorities gain access to remote areas.
In India, in Manipur alone, an estimated 100,000 people have been affected, with 250 villages in the districts of Thoubal, Imphal West, Chandel and Bishnupur engulfed by receding water with more than 100 people feared dead. India is also faced with heavy flooding in the eastern states of Odisha and West Bengal and also the western states of Gujarat and South Rajasthan. ActionAid in India has already responded to the flood situation in Gujarat and is currently assessing the extent of damage and drawing up a relief plan in all the other states. The emergency response team is on standby.
Heavy rainfall hit Bangladesh on 23 June 2015, further worsened by cyclone Komen at the end of July and resulting in landslides. An estimated 1.8million people have been affected with the current death toll at 28. ActionAid is working in Tanchi upazila of Bandarban District in south east Bangladesh, building and repairing shelters and providing livelihood support for farmers.
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