United News of Bangladesh

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Wednesday said China has consistently extended support whenever Bangladesh has faced disasters or humanitarian crises. The Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Bangladesh donated USD 100,000 to the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) to support its ongoing emergency response for communities affected by the recent floods and landslides across the country. The humanitarian contribution was officially handed over by the Ambassador at a ceremony held at the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society National Headquarters in Dhaka. The donation was received on behalf of BDRCS by its Chairman, Barrister Md Abdus Salam. Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Yao said the recent heavy rains in Bangladesh have triggered severe flooding, claiming many lives, leaving millions of people stranded, and causing extensive damage to farmland and infrastructure. “The Chinese people deeply sympathize with the people of Bangladesh during this difficult time,” he said. On behalf of the Red Cross Society of China, the envoy said they are handing over USD 100,000 in emergency cash assistance to the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society.  “This contribution reflects the sincere concern and solidarity of the Chinese Government and people with the people of Bangladesh." The Ambassador said China has been supporting Bangladesh's disaster preparedness capacity through annual training programmes and the provision of flood response equipment. Last year, China donated emergency response equipment to the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, which is now being effectively utilized in the ongoing flood response. The Ambassador also reaffirmed China's commitment to continuing humanitarian assistance and providing training for BDRCS volunteers whenever needed. Speaking on the occasion, BDRCS Chairman Barrister Abdus Salam expressed his sincere gratitude to the government and people of the People's Republic of China and the Red Cross Society of China for their continued humanitarian support. "We sincerely thank the Government and people of China for standing beside the people of Bangladesh during this difficult time. Our dedicated volunteers are already working in some of the hardest-hit and most remote areas,” he said. With this generous support, he mentioned that they will be able to further expand their emergency response, including the distribution of emergency food assistance, safe drinking water, temporary shelter, hygiene kits, and medical services. The Chairman said it is in times of crisis like these that true friendship is demonstrated. “On behalf of the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, we once again express our heartfelt gratitude to the Government and people of China. We assure you that every dollar of this generous contribution will be utilized efficiently, transparently, and where it is needed most." Highlighting the long-standing friendship between Bangladesh and China, he said, "The late President Ziaur Rahman initiated the bilateral relationship between Bangladesh and China, which was further strengthened by former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Following the recent visit of the Prime Minister to China, we are confident that bilateral cooperation in humanitarian, economic, and development sectors will continue to grow stronger." During the programme, BDRCS presented an overview of its emergency response activities carried out up to 21 July. The presentation highlighted that BDT 3.39 million had been released for emergency operations. In addition, BDRCS has distributed more than 2,500 food packages, evacuated and rescued over 22,000 people, provided medical assistance to more than 2,000 people, distributed over 37,000 litres of safe drinking water, mobilized 12 Red Crescent Units, and deployed more than 3,500 volunteers to support the emergency response. The programme was attended by Professor Dr. Md. Rafiqul Kabir, Vice Chairman of BDRCS; Dr. Abu Md. Mofakhkharul Islam Rana, Treasurer; Dr. Kabir Md. Ashraf Alam, ndc, Secretary General of BDRCS; senior officials of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC); officials from the Embassy of the People's Republic of China; representatives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement; and other guests.

Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) has deployed around 1200 volunteers in the coastal areas of the country to protect the people from cyclone “Sitrang” which is approaching fast. The volunteers are working together with the government in all kinds of support activities including relocating people from coastal areas to safe shelters, said BDRCS on Monday. Bangladesh Red Crescent Society is working in coordination with the Meteorological Department, concerned DCs, Cyclone Preparedness Program (CPP), IFRC, RRRC, UNHCR, UN Refugee Agency and IOM to reduce the damage of Cyclone Sitrang. The people from the coastal areas who are at risk have already taken shelter in 65 shelters of the society and other shelters. The society has arranged solar power in 20 shelters to provide round the clock electricity facility. Also, preparations have been made to provide relief assistance to the shelters by the Red Crescent. Read: Sitrang likely to hit by midnight or early Tuesday with 5-8 ft tidal surge Red Crescent volunteers are also working with CPP volunteers to spread signals and warning messages at seaports. Chairman of Bangladesh Red Crescent Society Major General ATM Abdul Wahab (Rtd.) said millions of people who are at risk due to the sudden cyclone are in dire need of humanitarian assistance. “Bangladesh Red Crescent Society volunteers are always ready to provide all kinds of emergency assistance in such situations,” he said. Meanwhile, the Red Crescent has allocated around Tk 15 lakh on an emergency basis to distribute dry food among the people who are in danger due to Sitrang. Ambulances with medical teams have been kept ready. All officers and employees of BDRCS have been asked to remain at work until further instructions from the National Headquarters. Cyclone Sitrang is likely to intensify further, move in a north-northeasterly direction and cross Barishal-Chattogram coast near Khepupara by midnight Monday or early morning Tuesday, said the latest Met office bulletin. 

Grameenphone (GP) and Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) have distributed relief among the flood-affected people. GP has been facilitating flood-affected communities in partnership with the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) to help fight the ordeal through relief and rehabilitation efforts, said a media release.   It said four medical camps have hence been deployed in Netrokona, Sylhet, and Sunamganj, providing medical consultancy and necessary medicines to the flood-affected people in the nearby impacted upazilas free of cost. Read: BTRC places indefinite suspension on GP SIM card sale The teams have been dedicated to working from June 29 and are expecting to offer treatment to more than 6 thousand patients throughout the 10-day initiative, finishing on July 8. Till July 3, a total of 2,173 patients have been treated through four medical teams. Netrokona Sadar, Barhatta, Kalmakanda, Dakshin Surma, Kanaighat, Osmaninagar, Balaganj, Bishwanath, Companiganj, Gowainghat, Bishwambarpur, and Sunamganj Sadar are the upazilas that are set to be covered under this collective effort from Grameenphone and BDRCS. Read AIBL donates Tk10 crore to PM's relief, welfare fund Besides the medical camps, soon, there shall also be 15 thousand food relief packs distributed among 15 thousand families as one week's essential food supply for each family. Earlier, GP offered 10 minutes of free talk time for its users struggling in the inundated areas to help them reach out to meet survival needs. "The sudden flash flood brought a grave crisis in the north and north-eastern belt of our nation. While our team, in collaboration with regulators, local administration, defence forces and network operating partners, fought hard to restore the emergency mobile network lifeline and connectivity to the people when they needed it the most; we have also simultaneously assessed the distressed communities' healthcare and food support needs and managed to stand by them. I am thankful to the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society for helping us reach out to the people through emergency response." - said Yasir Azman, GP CEO.   Read National Bank donates Tk11 crore to PM's relief, welfare fund

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) on Monday handed over four new ambulances and a COVID-19 sample collection van to Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) to help them transfer patients to hospitals and support COVID-19 sample collection and testing.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), in collaboration with the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS), has been carrying out an "intensive infection prevention and control" (IPC) programme in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming on Thursday handed over 14,280 surgical masks provided by Yunnan Province to Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS).

The European Union is providing EUR 100,000, almost Tk 10 million, in humanitarian aid funding to assist the most vulnerable communities in response to severe flooding that has affected nearly one-third of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) has taken urgent early action to protect lives in Bangladesh as floods threaten 4.1 million people in large areas across the country that are already grappling with COVID-19 outbreak.

Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) has distributed  cash assistance to vulnerable urban communities located in Dhaka South City Corporation with support of German Red Cross.

Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) jointly with the Swiss Red Cross Bangladesh Country Office and in support with the Novartis Bangladesh office on Wednesday handed over some 28,000 sets of Personal Protective Equipments (PPE) to four COVID-19 dedicated hospitals in the capital.