Flood victims bathe in floodwaters near a shelter in Sirajganj town, 94 miles from the capital, Dhaka, on Aug. 1. Authorities are struggling to respond to flooding in South Asia, which has damaged or destroyed hundreds of thousands of homes and forced millions to live on embankments and highways. REUTERS/Rafiqur Rahman (BANGLADESH)

Nearly all rivers in the north, northeast, and central parts of the country have flooded, affecting 20 million people in 32 of the country's 64 districts, and causing massive damages to crops and farmland. Nearly 1 million are marooned on isolated spots of dry land. State-owned news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha reports three people have died as a result of the widespread disaster.

World Vision Responds

Several families of sponsored children in the Faridpur program area whose homes were inundated by floodwaters have been moved to higher ground. Local program facilitators and volunteers are assisting these families.

To better monitor the growing crisis, World Vision's Bangladesh Crisis Management Team activated an Emergency Operation Center in our office in Dhaka on July 30.

Food, Water Shortages

Low-lying areas are predicted to flood in the eastern part of the country's capital city, Dhaka, already waterlogged by the ongoing heavy rains. A number of small rivers surrounding the capital and the nearby city of Narayanganj are approaching flood stage.

Breaches in flood protection embankments in some areas of the country have contributed to additional flooding in other parts of the country, submerging roads and disrupting communications.

Many in the country are seeking shelter in hilly areas, mostly river embankments; consequently, food and drinking water shortages are acute. Waterborne illnesses have broken out in many flood-affected districts.

World Vision staff members remain on alert and are prepared to undertake relief operations to meet the immediate needs of affected families.

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