Almost 19,000 vulnerable families have received support to rebuild their lives and communities following disastrous flooding last year in Bangladesh.
A £2m project, delivered by a consortium of aid agencies including Islamic Relief, will come to an end in September.
Last summer, an estimated 1.3 million people were affected by heavy rains in Bangladesh – one of the most disaster-prone countries on the planet. Severe floods, water logging, landslides and flash floods drove people from their homes in the districts of Chittagong, Bandarban and Cox’s Bazar.
Most families have since returned home, but struggled to rebuild their homes and livelihoods.
Around 51,500 homes needed to be repaired, and almost 24,500 houses were damaged beyond repair. The agriculture and fishing sectors suffered, as did the monsoon harvest. This drove a dramatic reduction in family incomes and the accessibility of food.
Local people were forced to live in makeshift shelters and to eat less. Those that can are taking loans to cover their basic living expenses.
The nine month programme by CARE, Concern Universal and Islamic Relief was funded by DFID and has provided extensive support for communities in conjunction with an existing food-aid programme in the area.
Some small farmers received a cash grant, and technical support in preparing their land for the next harvest – this in turn will create local opportunities for daily labouring work. Others – including women - benefitted from a grant for homestead farming and small livestock, such as goats by which they can supplement their family income and provide food.
Cash grants of 10,000 BDT (around £84) were also provided to female entrepreneurs, to help them to restart their previous businesses.
Islamic Relief began its programmes in Bangladesh in 1991, assisting the cyclone-affected people of Chittagong.