BRAC provides relief assistance for families affected by Cyclone Remal
BANGLADESH – Cyclone Remal has left behind a trail of destruction. Fisheries, livestock, and croplands have been washed away, affecting immediate and long-term livelihoods. Early estimates by BRAC suggest a long-term economic loss of approximately £100 Million. In total, the cyclone damaged 173,866 houses, and caused 16 fatalities. The fisheries and livestock sectors reported a loss of over £60 Million. Coastal embankments were breached, leading to extensive flooding and contamination of freshwater sources, and agriculture adversely affecting the local economy.
BRAC has been closely monitoring cyclone Remal’s impact and coordinating with relevant government agencies, humanitarian clusters, and partners at both national and local levels. For the relief effort, priority is being given to women-led households, elderly people, pregnant women, and people with physical and mental disabilities — especially in hard-to-reach areas. A total of 23,000 BRAC staff including community health workers, and volunteers are supporting affected communities. BRAC provided early warning and evacuation support across all coastal districts, including cash grants to 50 families in Satkhira. Immediately after the cyclone made landfall, BRAC provided dry food, cooked food, and cash support to a total of 5,376 households in the most affected districts and distributed temporary shelter items among 1,300 families.
In total, BRAC has contributed over £668,000 to the relief assistance fund titled ‘Dakche Amar Desh’ (Bangladesh is calling). That includes £268,000 from BRAC staff generously sacrificing one day of their salaries and £200,000 from BRAC Bank PLC. This fund will be mobilised for emergency cash support so vulnerable families can procure essential food packages, as well as for rebuilding homes, water sources, and latrines and restoring livelihoods.
Asif Saleh, Executive Director of BRAC, said, “Cyclone Remal has left millions of families in unbearable distress, damaging their homes, land, and sources of livelihood. Our frontline colleagues, community health workers, and volunteers are on the ground, supporting families in vulnerable conditions. The community needs both immediate relief assistance and long-term rehabilitation and rebuilding support. We are mobilising our own funds to start the immediate work. However, the need is much greater and requires collective, sustained efforts. We urge all sections of society, including generous individuals, private sector partners, and donor agencies, to come forward and join us.”
You can donate to the appeal through our website. Please give generously to support our efforts to assist the families affected. BRAC estimates that…
- £20 will help a family of four procure essential food items for two weeks.
- £270 enables BRAC’s response team to rebuild public toilet facilities.
- £500 will help rebuild pipes that will enable entire affected communities to access safe drinking water
