Partners act to protect communities from landslides in Bangladesh

Partners act to protect communities from landslides in Bangladesh

Bangladesh recently experienced heavy rains, raising the threat of flash floods and landslides in different regions. Save the Children Bangladesh, together with Young Power in Social Action and community volunteers, acted to anticipate the impacts of these hazards in the Banshkhali upizala and Chattogram city.

To protect those at risk, partners implemented a series of anticipatory actions:

• Early warnings about the forecast hazards were shared in different ways, including voice calls, door-to-door campaigns, social media and through MET (Meteorology) Club volunteers; these warnings reached more than 51,000 people, including 18,000 women and 16,000 children;
• 100 households received anticipatory cash assistance of 6,000 Bangladeshi taka (around 49 US dollars/43 euros) to meet their immediate needs and implement protective measures.
• Partners supported the safe evacuation on 396 people, while also managing 4 evacuation shelters.
• They also conducted rapid assessments of the situation and provided protection and psychosocial support for those affected.

The activation was triggered on 7 July in Chattogram and on 8 July in Banshkhali, after forecasts predicted rainfall of 100-300mm; these were provided by the Bangladesh Meteorological Department and Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System for Africa and Asia. The actions were supported financially by the German Federal Foreign Office.