Name of the project: “Eastern Flash Flood Response"

Programme Area:  Improving primary and secondary healthcare services, including comprehensive sexual and reproductive health, maternal health, and adolescent services through targeted 53 medical camps in Noakhali & Feni district.

Duration: August 2024 to March 2024  

Funded by: Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) & Emergency fund of (UNFPA)

 Supported By: United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)

Implementation area of PHD: Noakhali (Sadar & Hatiya Upazila) & Feni District    

Target audience: pregnant and postpartum women, Adolescents, women of reproductive age

The recent flash floods in Bangladesh, triggered by heavy rainfall and upstream water flows from India since mid-August, have caused widespread devastation across 11 districts in the country’s eastern regions. The most severely affected districts include Noakhali, Cumilla, Laxipur, Feni, Chattogram, and Moulvibazar, where over 5.8 million people have faced life-threatening impacts, including loss of life, injuries, and displacement. Floodwaters have waterlogged rural roads, agricultural lands, and fishponds, severing essential access routes and undermining livelihoods. The situation in Feni and Noakhali worsened significantly from August 23, 2024, escalating into a humanitarian crisis. Recognizing the urgent need for assistance, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) expanded its support to flood-affected communities.

In collaboration with the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and the Directorate General of Family Planning (DGFP), Partners in Health and Development (PHD) launched the “Eastern Flash Flood Response” project, financially supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) & Emergency fund of (UNFPA).This initiative is dedicated to providing critical health services to vulnerable groups, focusing on pregnant women, postpartum mothers, adolescents, and women in need of general healthcare across Noakhali (Sadar and Hatiya Upazilas) and Feni districts. Through this project, PHD organized SRH mobile health camps in Noakhali and Feni, offering Health services to flood affected communities.

The project will work to achieve 6 objectives likely-

Objective1: Deliver emergency SRH and general health services to flood-affected vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, postpartum mothers, adolescents, and women requiring general healthcare.

Objective2: To provide travel support for critical patients needing referrals to higher-level care, and to distribute baby kits.

Objective3: Ensure 24/7 Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (BEmONC) services.

Objective4: Enhance GBV services for flood-affected women and adolescent girls by including medical care, hygiene counseling and essential support.

Objective5: Improving reproductive health services through distribution of family planning commodities to flood-affected communities.

Objective6: Ensure 24/7 SRH and maternal health services at Family Welfare Centers through dedicated midwives and community mobilizer.