Mon, 26 Jul 2004

NZ agency gives $70,000 for flood relief

With more than half of Bangladesh now under water, World Vision New Zealand has committed over $70,000 to assisting New Zealand-funded projects in the north of Bangladesh, where thousands of families have lost their homes.

The funds will provide food, clothing, medical care and temporary shelter for the families affected, says Bangladeshi Bernard Gomes, who is based in World Vision's Auckland office.

"Nearly 20 million people have been affected in Bangladesh, and two thirds of the capital city, Dhaka, is now underwater, which is very serious indeed. The situation in Dhaka is likely to worsen, with a high tide in the Bay of Bengal expected in early August, which will swell already dangerously high river levels."

Mr Gomes says half of World Vision's projects in Bangladesh are affected by the floods, and World Vision New Zealand is particularly concerned about the people in its development projects.

"Because we fund these projects from New Zealand, we have a responsibility and commitment to these people. They are completely reliant on us, as the Government of Bangladesh is currently reluctant to ask for international aid. Because we are working there, it's possible to get aid directly to the people who need it the most," says Mr Gomes. He added that World Vision relief aid for Bangladesh flood victims currently totals almost NZ$1 million from the world wide partnership.

ENDS

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