UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) allocates five million USD to assist Female-Headed Households affected by the floods

Dhaka - Following the severe flooding caused by monsoon rains in July, the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has allocated five million US dollars (US$ 5 million) to complement the Government’s response to the people in need. The CERF allocation will provide assistance to 43,000 Female-Headed Households in Jamalpur district in Mymensingh division and, in Gaibandha and Kurigram districts in Rangpur division.

Following a Joint Needs Assessment undertaken in partnership with the Government of Bangladesh, international and national NGOs, IFRC and UN Agencies, the humanitarian community developed a response and recovery plan to supplement the on-going national response. The plan seeks US$ 27 million to assist 736,000 people in Bandarban, Bogura, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, Kurigram, Sirajganj, Sunamganj, Sylhet and Tangail.

As is often the case during natural disasters, women and girls are the hardest hit. Therefore, the CERF-funded projects have a strong focus on women and girls and they are expected to strengthen their resilience through the rebuilding of livelihoods destroyed by the floods said United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh, Ms. Mia Seppo. The CERF funding is provided to six UN agencies: FAO, UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, UN Women and WFP under the leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator. The targeted Female-Headed Households will benefit from emergency WASH interventions, Health and Protection interventions as well as food and livelihood assistance. Those displaced will benefit from a complementary life-saving intervention in the form of emergency shelter assistance in order to rebuild their houses.

Many national and international NGOs including members of the Start Fund Bangladesh are supporting the national response notably: CRS, GBF, GUK, APUS, MJSKS, MMS, ERA, SRAC, PUS, BRAC, TDH, Friendship, SKS, Solidarites, ASOD, NDP, CARE, Concern Worldwide, Christian Aid, Islamic Relief, Muslim Aid, Aid Comilla, HelpAge, ActionAid, Caritas Bangladesh, World Vision, United Purpose, Save the Children, Habitat for Humanity, Plan Bangladesh, Oxfam, DAM and BNKS. The UN welcomes the contributions from partners to complement the government’s response and to facilitate a quick and smooth recovery process for all the persons affected before the next monsoon season