More flooding in Mymensingh: Caritas and Missionaries of the Immaculate bring aid

The monsoon season is ending with new floods in the north. As in August, the impact of climate change is weighing heavily. Remote areas are unreachable. Sr. Rony Gomes: ‘inhuman conditions’ due to lack of food. There are 1474 families helped by Christian organisations.

Mymensingh (AsiaNews) - New floods are once again devastating Bangladesh. Since 6 October, the districts of Mymensingh, Sherpur and Netrokona, in the north of the country, have been affected.

A total of 238,000 people have been affected by the disaster, according to KM Ali Reza, Assistant Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief.

It is the tail end of a tragic monsoon season: in August, floods had affected an area inhabited by 5.4 million people, one million families submerged, causing 52 deaths. Already weeks ago, more efforts were called for to tackle the impacts of climate change.

Caritas Bangladesh, the Missionaries of the Immaculate (Pime sisters) and the Mymensingh diocese are intervening to support the victims. So far, 1474 families have received aid, including dry food, rice, lentils and basic necessities such as candles and gas lighters.

In the sub-districts of Dhobaura and Haluaghat alone, 460 families have been helped. Sr. Rony Gomes, a missionary of the Immaculate who serves in the parish of Dhairpara, Mymensingh district, told AsiaNews: ‘We have provided dry food such as crushed rice, puffed rice and noodles to 30 families. However, most of our 23 Catholic villages have been affected and some remote areas remain unreachable'.

These days, many people are enduring ‘inhuman conditions’ due to the lack of food. Sr. Rony said they are collecting funds from friends and relatives to increase aid, as the floods prevent many from cooking.

The bishop of the Mymensingh diocese, Ponan Paul Kobi, is visiting the affected areas with a Caritas team, urging local priests and Catholics to provide their support. Caritas in the Mymensingh region has been managing emergency humanitarian aid since the floods hit earlier this month.

Despite the immediate relief efforts, the long-term impact of the floods is still unclear. Caritas and other humanitarian organisations are committed to providing ongoing support as they continue to monitor the situation.

Many of the affected people belong to the Garo Christian community, which inhabits the northern region. There are many stories of suffering, such as that of Sudeepa Sangma, 50, whose mud house in the village of Narail was destroyed.

She and her husband are in dire straits, having received no government or private help. Also in the same situation is Surabhi, from Kaichapur: she has lost her house but has not yet received any aid.

Local officials recognise the difficulties in reaching the most remote areas due to communication problems, but assure that efforts to bring relief are continuing. In Atbhaipara village, Sherpur district, 50 houses were completely destroyed, displacing numerous families, such as that of Hamidul Islam.

After six days, he only received a sack of rice, which barely sustains his family. The Catholic Church and humanitarian organisations continue to stand by the needy, offering crucial support in the face of the devastation.