UN provides more funds to assist Bangladesh's flood affected people

Dhaka, Sep 7 (UNI) The United Nations system in Bangladesh has mobilised additional funds of six million US dollars to alleviate the suffering of the flood affected people of the country.

The amount is in addition to UN assistance of approximately 11 million US dollars since the flood started.

This support was made through a grant from the Central Emergency Respond Fund (CERF), a global initiative to enhance UN's response to emergencies. The funds will be channelled through WFP, UNICEF, FAO, WHO, UNFPA and UNDP, mainly in the form of food, but also including nutritional supplements, medical services, shelter support, non-food items and actions to prevent the loss of livestock.

Around 800 people died during the recent monsoon flooding that also caused havoc to standing crops and infrastructure in the country.

UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Ms Renata Dessallien said the UN stands by the people of Bangladesh in their hour of need.

''Although we hope that the worst of the floods are over, many people are still in dire need of assistance to make ends meet. Many have returned home to find no home at all, as well as their sources of livelihood destroyed'', she said ''Government efforts to assist the flood affected people to recover and restore their livelihoods are highly appreciated and effective," she said, adding the new UN system assistance will be used to complement the good work of the Government, and will be targeted at the most vulnerable and impoverished groups.

UNI