August 21, 2024, brought one of the most devastating floods in Bangladesh’s recent history. Continuous heavy rainfall, coupled with onrush of water from India’s Tripura state, inundated vast areas of Feni, Noakhali, Cumilla, Chandpur, and Chattogram districts. According to government and non-government sources, nearly 5.6 million people in the region have been affected, marking one of the gravest humanitarian crises in recent times.
From the very onset of the disaster on August 21, the Ghashful Emergency Rescue Team rose to the occasion with courage and responsibility. Volunteers were deployed in various areas of Chattogram, Feni, and Cumilla to conduct active rescue, relief, medical, and humanitarian support operations. Braving risks in severely flooded zones, the team evacuated stranded families to safety and provided them with dry food, safe drinking water, and essential medicines.
After completing the first phase of urgent rescue and relief efforts, Ghashful launched its second phase on August 28 through seven dedicated Rescue and Relief Teams. These teams operated in multiple flood-hit locations, including Lemuya Bazar and Feni Sadar in Feni’s Shagolnaiya upazila; Chauddagram, Miyabazar, and Sadar in Cumilla; Mekhol, Gumanmardan, Modunaghat, Nojumiahat, Forhadabad, Shipatoli, and Nangal Mora in Hathazari upazila of Chattogram; as well as Borotakiya and Baraiyerhat in Mirsarai. Volunteers worked tirelessly to deliver emergency aid, assess primary rehabilitation needs, and provide psychological support to disaster-stricken families.
Beyond distributing relief, Ghashful’s workers listened to the stories of suffering from remote communities—how families were impacted, what losses they endured, and what their future needs might be. These field insights are helping to shape the foundation for long-term rehabilitation planning.
According to Ghashful, as of now, emergency relief packages have already been distributed to around 1,500 affected families, and the operation is ongoing. The aid includes dry food, bottled drinking water, essential medical supplies, children’s items, and livestock feed.
The Ghashful Emergency Rescue Team has a proven track record of responding to past disasters, including Cyclones Sidr and Aila, as well as several flash floods and landslides. Their preparedness, quick response, humanitarian sensitivity, and dedication during this flood have drawn widespread public appreciation.
In the face of this calamity, Ghashful’s role stands as a reminder: those who answer the call of humanity are the true heroes.
At a Glance:
From the very first day of upstream flooding triggered by heavy rainfall on 21 August, the Ghashful Emergency Rescue Team stood beside the affected communities with courage and responsibility.
Ghashful carried out emergency rescue, relief, medical, and humanitarian assistance operations at nearly twelve points across the flood-affected areas of Chattogram, Feni, and Cumilla districts.
Entering high-risk and inundated zones, the team evacuated stranded people to safer locations and delivered dry food, safe drinking water, and essential medicines.
Beginning on 28 August, Ghashful deployed seven Rescue and Relief Teams to launch the second phase of field operations.
The operational sites included:
- Feni: Shagolnaiya (Lemuya Bazar), Feni Sadar
- Cumilla: Chauddagram, Miyabazar, Cumilla Sadar South
- Chattogram: Hathazari (Mekhol, Gumanmordan, Modunaghat, Nojumiahat, Forhadabad, Shipatoli, Nangal Mora)
- Mirsarai: Sadar, Borotakiya, Jorarganj, Baraiyerhat
Volunteers worked tirelessly in relief distribution, situation monitoring, and identifying primary rehabilitation needs of the communities.
Listening attentively to the hardships and stories of affected families, the team gathered information to support the planning of long-term rehabilitation.
Ghashful’s workers extended not only material assistance but also humanitarian empathy, offering a compassionate hand to those in distress.
