UNICEF is “deeply concerned” about the devastating flood situation unfolding in the north-eastern region of Bangladesh, Unicef Representative in Bangladesh Sheldon Yett said on Friday.
“The rivers are flowing dangerously high, and the situation is expected to worsen over the next 24 to 48 hours,” he said.
Over 20,00,000 people, including over 7,72,000 children, are already affected by flash floods and in urgent need of assistance, said the UNICEF representative.
“As waters rise, children are the most vulnerable, facing heightened risks of drowning, malnutrition, deadly waterborne diseases, the trauma of displacement, and potential abuse in overpopulated shelters,” Yett said in a statement.
The first return-Hajj flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying 419 pilgrims landed at Dhaka Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) early Friday.
The flight “BG 332” with the pilgrims landed at the HSIA around 5:40am, reads a press release signed by Boshra Islam, general manager of Public Relations of Biman Bangladesh Airlines on Friday morning.
The return-Hajj flights will continue until July 22, it reads.
The returning pilgrims were received at the boarding gate of the HSIA with flowers and each pilgrim was provided with Zamzam water from a distribution booth set up by the Biman Airlines.
Donors from the international community including the United States, European Union and other countries on Thursday said they remain deeply concerned by the worsening situation in Rakhine State of Myanmar and the cross-border implications.
“Today we reiterate the importance of protecting all civilians,” they said in a joint media release marking World Refugee Day.
The donor countries said the hope remains that safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable repatriation will be possible for Rohingya refugees in the long-term.
Most of the rooms in more than five hundred hotels in Coxs Bazar remained empty during the Eid-ul-Azha holidays despite the discount offers on room rent from 40 to 60 per cent.
Industry experts blamed rainy weather and the suspension of tourist ship movement on Teknaf to Saint Martins route due to conflict inside Myanmar for the arrival of fewer tourists.
During several visits to hotels, guesthouses and cottages in the Kalatali area of the beach town from June 16 to 19, the correspondent found that 60 to 70 per cent of the rooms in most of the hotels were empty.
Various entertainment centres in the district, including Coxs Bazar to Teknaf Marine Drive, Buddhist temple in Ramu, Dulahajara Safari Park etc, were also found almost empty.