In early October 2024, continuous heavy rainfall triggered severe flash flooding across Dhobaura and Haluaghat sub-districts in Mymensingh District and Purbadhola sub-district in Netrokona District, Bangladesh. The Dhobaura Haluaghat Project (DHP) area, managed by Symbiosis Bangladesh, was significantly impacted, with 1,657 members from 192 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) among the affected.
The situation worsened due to rainwater flowing in from the Indian state of Meghalaya. Overall, flooding affected over 125,000 people, including 50,000 in 50 villages of Dhobaura and 75,000 in 70 villages of Haluaghat, causing extensive damage to homes, sanitation facilities, seasonal crops (such as Amon paddy), fish and poultry farms, and livelihoods.
Recognizing the urgent need, Symbiosis Bangladesh sought support from Symbiosis International to enact immediate relief efforts which falls outside our usual scope of work. However, the need was great and the emergency initiative aimed to support the most severely impacted families.
Symbiosis Response
Cash distribution is a common and (under the right circumstances) a very effective means of support in situations requiring emergency Humanitarian response.
Financial assistance of BDT 1,000 was provided to affected Symbiosis beneficiaries through the bKash mobile banking system, ensuring a secure and transparent distribution process. The total expenditure was BDT 76,756 (~ $1000 AUD). The use of bKash eliminated logistical complications, allowing beneficiaries to access their funds without delay. Where required, additional assistance was given to people to open a bKash account.
Reflections
Our aid reached only a small fraction of the affected population, but it succeeded in providing essential support to the 75 selected households. Beneficiaries utilized the funds for urgent needs such as food, medicine, and basic home repairs, fulfilling the intended goal of immediate relief.
This is the benefit of cash in humanitarian emergencies it allows people the flexibility to purchase what they need immediately while also supporting local businesses that are still operating but have lost custom due to the disaster.
Lessons Learned
While the humanitarian response from Symbiosis provided immediate to the selected families, the scale of the disaster was overwhelming and the recovery for many we could not help will be long and arduous.
The experience highlighted the importance of maintaining emergency response capabilities within the organisation and the need to consider our contribution to interventions in the future.
Hands and Feet in the community – even when wading through waters themselves!
It is also important to recognise the staff that contributed to the recovery efforts immensely in their own time, helping people restore or move their homes. Pictured below are some of our team in front of their flooded homes. Despite their own needs, they continued to to be hands and feet of help on the ground in the lives of people affected around them.