In a bid to assist the poor people in the coastal districts of the country devastated by the cyclone Remal, BRAC and BRAC Bank PLC have announced setting up a relief fund of Tk 10 crore.
In this fund titled 鈥楧akchhe Amar Desh鈥�, BRAC has contributed Tk 7 crore 鈥� Tk 3 crore from its own fund and Tk 4 crore from one-day salary of BRAC staff鈥� while BRAC Bank PLC has contributed Tk 3 crore.
This fund will provide cash support to vulnerable families to procure essential food packages, as well as for rebuilding homes, water sources, and latrines and restoring livelihoods, said a press release from BRAC.
Cyclone Remal has left behind a trail of destruction. An estimated 35,000 houses along the coastal belt have been fully destroyed, and 115,000 houses have been partially damaged.
Fisheries, livestock, and croplands have been washed away, affecting immediate and long-term livelihoods. Early estimates by BRAC suggest a long-term economic loss of Tk 1,500 crore.
BRAC executive director Asif Saleh said, 鈥楥yclone Remal has left millions of families in unbearable distress, damaging their homes, land, and sources of livelihood. Our frontline colleagues, community health workers, and volunteers are on the ground, supporting families in vulnerable conditions. The community needs both immediate relief assistance and long-term rehabilitation and rebuilding support. We are mobilising our own funds to start the immediate work. However, the need is much greater and requires collective, sustained efforts. We urge all sections of society, including generous individuals, private sector partners, and donor agencies, to come forward and join us.鈥�
To donate, please visit: . Contributions can be made through bkash payment 01730321765 (use 鈥楳ake Payment鈥� option).
For bank transfers, please send your contributions to the following account, BRAC Bank account number 150120-2316474001, Gulshan 1, Gulshan Avenue, Dhaka. Other payment options are also available on the website.
BRAC estimates that Tk 2,000 (USD 17) will help a family of four procure essential food items for two weeks, Tk 60,000 (USD 508) will help a family rebuild their house, Tk 60,000 (USD 508) will help repair a damaged tube well, and Tk 40,000 (USD 339) will aid the reconstruction of a latrine.
BRAC Bank PLC managing director and CEO Selim RF Hussain, said, 鈥榃e are committed to supporting our communities in times of need. BRAC Bank鈥檚 contribution to BRAC鈥檚 relief efforts in the cyclone Remal-affected areas underscores our dedication to social responsibility.鈥�
BRAC officials said that BRAC has been closely monitoring cyclone Remal鈥檚 impact and coordinating with relevant government agencies, humanitarian clusters, and partners at both national and local levels. For the relief effort, priority is being given to women-led households, elderly people, pregnant women, and people with physical and mental disabilities, especially in hard-to-reach areas. A total of 23,000 BRAC staff, including community health workers, and volunteers, are supporting the affected communities with emergency food and shelter across the impacted regions.
Additionally, 1,600 people in coastal areas have so far received emergency food support through local government institutions, the release added.