EMBARGOED TO THE MEDIA UNTIL TUESDAY 18 NOVEMBER 2003, 1100 HRS NEW YORK TIME

Bangladesh

FLASH APPEAL

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The aim of this six-month Flash Appeal is to solicit substantial contributions to the immediate relief and early recovery needs of the ultra-poor – the most vulnerable victims of the floods that devastated large areas of Bangladesh in July 2004.

The UN Country Team (UNCT) has identified urgent needs in the sectors of food, agriculture, health, nutrition, water, sanitation, family shelter, education, protection, economic recovery and infrastructure, and coordination and information management over the next six months.

Bangladesh is arguably the most disaster-prone country in the world. Since independence in 1971 it has reeled under the effects of 200 disasters causing 500,000 deaths, directly affecting the lives of millions of others and causing disruption to livelihoods, economic and social development. The impact of these disasters is compounded by and has exacerbated the extremely high incidence of poverty.

This year’s floods have had a terrible effect on more than 33 million people, destroying houses, crops, livestock and essential rural and urban infrastructure. Gastro-enteric and other diseases are rife as millions of clean water sources have been contaminated and sanitation facilities disrupted. Almost a million dwellings have been destroyed, more than 3,000,000 damaged and millions of inhabitants temporarily or permanently displaced. More than 2,000,000 acres of agricultural land have been submerged and countless crops ruined. Further floods associated with the monsoon and cyclone seasons remain a real possibility over the next six months.

The people of Bangladesh have shown remarkable resilience and determination and the Government has made the most strenuous efforts to deal with the disaster and its effects. They have welcomed the international help received so far, but it is now clear that the enormity of the disaster requires major additional international financial input, which the Government of Bangladesh has now requested.

The international community has responded generously in the initial relief phase, but much more is needed to help kick-start lives and livelihoods, particularly of the poorest and most vulnerable people. Accordingly, the Appeal requests US$210,077,952 for projects in specific sectors as tabulated below. The UN’s governmental and NGO partners will implement the proposals, supported by the UNCT, which has carefully assessed the relevance and feasibility of the projects involved. The UNCT, together with the Government, will take the lead in coordination and monitoring.

The ultimate objective of the Appeal is to help the poorest and most vulnerable people of Bangladesh to help themselves and to recover their livelihoods.

Funding Requirements in 2004
by sector
(US$)