Floodwaters in Kurigram is receding but on the way it revealed several critical problems for the vulnerable population here as thousands of people have lost the means of living a dignified life.
Plan International Bangladesh, an international development organization, emphasized the need for comprehensive support for the adversely affected population.
Josna, a young woman from Nageswari, found her house submerged in flood water which left her life in uncertainty.
“This single flood has turned our daily life upside down. Wherever I look, there’s nothing except floodwater. My family is suffering from food shortage, but there are other challenges for me too. How would I maintain my menstrual hygiene? ” said Josna.
To stand beside people like Josna, Plan International Bangladesh has distributed food and non-food items among the flood-affected families in Kachakata and Ballaberkhash unions of Nageswari Upazila of Kurigram district. The response focuses on the needs of young women and girls.
Some 5560 packets of dry food, 1,00,000 water purification tablets, 1840 Non-Food Items (NFI), and 1820 Menstrual Health Management (MHM) kits have been distributed during the first phase of the response.
Morjina, another young woman from Nageswari, shared, “As we don’t have any options to cook food receiving dry food is a great relief for us. The menstrual hygiene kits are also essential, as we cannot even share this problem with others in this crisis.”
Mahidev Jubo Somaj Kallayan Somity is supporting Plan International Bangladesh as a partner in implementing this response.
Ashik Billah, Head of Central and Northern Region of Plan International Bangladesh, Shahadat Hossain Chairman of Kachakata Union Parishad, and SM Abdur Razzak, Chairman of Ballaberkash Union Parishad, were present at the distribution point.
“From media reports, we know that around 2 lakh people in Kurigram have become homeless due to this flood. Plan International Bangladesh has been the first responder in Nageswari since the flood hit the community. However, we cannot ensure the protection of the entire community by ourselves. We all need to come forward in a joint effort”, said Ashik Billah.
“Children are getting sick due to water-borne diseases. The sufferings of pregnant women and new mothers are beyond our imagination. Strengthened health facilities have become a crying need now”, he added.
Plan International Bangladesh pledges to continue responding to this area, focusing on child protection, gender-based violence, and education along with the needs of girls and young women.
