UN drawing up rehabilitation plans for families hit by Bangladesh landslides

UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Robert Watkins has said they are drawing up long-term rehabilitation plans for the families affected by the landslides in the southeastern Chittagong Hill Tracts area.

He has also expressed solidarity with landslide victims.

“More detailed and long-term rehabilitation plans are being drawn up in collaboration with the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief,” he said in a statement on Thursday.

Watkins assured the government that the UN system will continue to support ongoing efforts aimed at restoring services and providing emergency supplies to those affected by the disaster.

In a statement, the UN office in Bangladesh said they remained concerned about the loss of lives, livelihoods, and damage to homes due to mudslides triggered by torrential monsoon rains.

More than 150 people have been killed in five southeastern districts.

Authorities are providing support to the affected residents, and have pledged to continue their support until families can safely return home.

The UN system in Dhaka said the blockage of road links within the affected areas and the disruption in telephone communications are hampering the relief response.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is working with the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and the National Crisis Management Centre to assess the health aspects of the disaster.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), both present with ongoing development projects in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region, are also undertaking assessments and helping with the response.