Skip to main content

Bangladesh: HCTT Response Plan (June-December 2017)

Countries
Bangladesh
Sources
UN RC Bangladesh
Publication date

SITUATION OVERVIEW

The June landslides, which started on 13th June with a few episodes, resulted in heavy loss of life (160 persons), injury (187 persons), and destruction of houses (6,000 structures) and other key infrastructures despite being localized in impact. It is the worst landslide-related disaster since 2007. It affected about 80,000 persons across five districts: Bandarban, Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar, Khagrachari and, Rangamati. Among these people, 34, 000 were severely impacted as they lost their houses together with their belongings, basic necessities, livelihoods and food stocks.
Approximately 46% of the most affected persons are from Rangamati, 25% from Bandarban, 25% from Chittagong, 2% from Cox’s Bazar and, 1% from Khagrachari.

While search and rescue interventions are ending, medical services are working non-stop to provide life-saving assistance. Central and local authorities are restoring road networks, power supply, and communication networks. Prices for basic commodities like fuel and water soared in the market due to scarcity of goods. The power shortages hindered access to water. Access to health, nutrition assistance, and life-saving intervention was initially limited due to road damage. Protection related concerns have also increased, in particular for children and women.

In the mid-term, the impact of this disaster could be also significant depending on the identification of secured areas for reconstruction of damaged shelter and infrastructure, the speed of reconstruction and rehabilitation work, and available support for the early recovery of the affected population. The specific context of the affected area as well as the fact that the monsoon season has just started is factored into the proposed response efforts. The Needs Assessment Working Group (NAWG) prepared a report that was shared with the Humanitarian Coordination Task Team (HCTT). Based on its findings, the HCTT agreed on the need to develop a 6-month Humanitarian Response Plan. The NAWG report and its recommendations are available on-line for consultation at the following link https://vosocc.unocha.org

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
i. To provide life-saving assistance to those in life- threatening situations
ii. To reduce vulnerabilities and, to restore the safety and dignity of the most vulnerable populations
iii. To strengthen public services to meet with the increased demand for quality service delivery in a way that leaves no one behind