Bangladesh: Worst flooding draws call for supports

By SM Najmus Sakib

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) - Bangladesh has been experiencing some of the heaviest rains in a decade causing flooding that has affected an estimated 5.5 million people nationwide.

Experts consider this year's floods as the longest one in terms of duration since 1998, directly affecting 33 districts.

The situation doubles the sufferings amid the COVID-19 pandemic, causing millions of people to slip into dire poverty.

Floods in the South Asian country have already claimed 263 lives with 88,032 people infected with waterborne diseases, including 30,697 from diarrhea.

The South Asian nation has reported a total of 403,079 positive cases of coronavirus with 5,861 deaths and 79% recovery rate so far.

Facebook in a bid to help the flood victims extended support to two local non-government organizations; BRAC and Bangladesh Red Crescent Society.

Md Ali Reza Mazid, a senior official at the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry, praised the collaboration, saying: "Social media is already playing a vital role in tackling the risks of natural disasters in Bangladesh.

"When a global platform like Facebook comes forward to assist the flood-affected people of Bangladesh, it is going to be even easier for us to engage more people in this."

Ashwani Raina, public policy director for South Asia at Facebook, said: "Our hearts go out to the people and families who have been affected by the recent flooding. In times of crisis, people turn to Facebook to check on loved ones and get updates. They also turn to Facebook to offer their assistance."