The European Union (EU) has made available additional assistance worth €700,000 for supporting the people affected by Cyclone Remal in Bangladesh.
The new fund brings the EU’s total contribution for this emergency close to €2 million.
The EU’s funding will reinforce the ongoing emergency response of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), said the EU Embassy in Dhaka on Sunday.
Out of the total, €200,000 are newly released as part of the EU's overall contribution to IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF), while the remaining €500,000 come from previous funding reserves in the framework of the EU’s partnership with IFRC.
These funds will support actions targeting 650,000 people and focusing on the most vulnerable groups, including children, women, and people with disabilities.
Aid will include multipurpose cash assistance to help the most affected population meet their needs, giving them the flexibility to pay for the things they need most, for example food, clothing, or medicines.
Among other actions, mobile medical teams will provide primary health care services to the affected population, including mental health and psychosocial support and first aid.
In addition, disease prevention and health promotion campaigns will help prevent insect- and water-transmitted diseases, by raising awareness about safe water practices, sanitation, and hygiene.
The latter is particularly important ahead of the upcoming monsoon season.
Cyclone Remal made landfall in Bangladesh on 26 May 2024.
The cyclone wreaked havoc on land for nearly 48 hours and was accompanied by extremely heavy rainfall that caused severe flooding.
On June 3, the EU announced €1.2 million initial funding to swiftly assist victims of cyclone Remal in Bangladesh and India.
NY