HSBC Bangladesh has announced a donation of 100 million taka for the rehabilitation of people affected by recent flooding in Chattogram division. Under the seven-month rehabilitation program, initiatives will include rebuilding homes for affected families, restoring livelihoods, repairing educational institutions, and ensuring access to safe water and sanitation.
The program was launched at an event held August 30 at Chattogram Circuit House. Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury attended as chief guest.
In a press release, HSBC said heavy rainfall, water flowing from upstream, landslides and prolonged waterlogging had affected 10 districts in Chattogram division. More than 1.04 million people have been affected. Thousands of homes, educational institutions, sewage systems, water sources and farmland have been damaged.
BRAC will implement the seven-month rehabilitation program with funding from HSBC Bangladesh. Of this, six months will cover field-level work, with one month set aside for preparing a final report. The program will prioritize three main sectors: educational institutions, homes and livelihoods.
Under the program, work will be carried out in the worst-affected areas of Chattogram City Corporation’s Ward 38, Chattogram’s Satkania and Banshkhali upazilas, and Cox’s Bazar’s Chakaria upazila.
HSBC said the program will repair and renovate 50 damaged schools. Educational materials will also be distributed to students. In addition, 250 damaged homes will be rebuilt, 400 latrines repaired or installed, and 30 tube wells repaired.
To help rebuild livelihoods, 300 financially struggling families will receive support. At the same time, 600 of the most at-risk farming families will be provided with necessary agricultural inputs.
At the event, HSBC Bangladesh Chief Executive Officer Md Mahbubur Rahman said the bank’s responsibility isn’t limited to business alone. Through its partnership with BRAC, the bank is committed to improving the lives of the communities it works with.
Md Mahbubur Rahman said families would be helped to get back on their feet. Alongside this, the bank is investing in housing, livelihoods and emergency services to build their long-term capacity to withstand climate-related disasters.
Md Liakat Ali, an officer with BRAC’s Climate and Environmental Innovation Programme under its Disaster Risk Management Programme, said that alongside immediate humanitarian assistance after a disaster, rebuilding affected families’ lives and livelihoods is essential. He said it is equally important to build their capacity and resilience to face future disasters.
The program will give special priority to female-headed households, families with a member with a disability, and elderly individuals. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and other disadvantaged groups in society will also be included in the support.
HSBC said the initiative’s main goal is to build long-term climate resilience and ensure sustainable development.