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Concern is increasing for the health of thousands of people affected by the floods in Bangladesh as water-borne diseases spread among the displaced population.
Although the flood waters are now beginning to recede, the crisis is far from over. The Bangladesh Red Crescent is working around the clock to provide emergency health care and distribute relief items to one million people severely affected by the flooding.
Click here to find out how you can support our Asia Floods Appeal.
Tony Maryon, head of the Red Cross delegation in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, says: “Health concerns are increasing. More than 100,000 people in the capital alone, mainly women and children, are being treated for dysentery. The Bangladesh Red Crescent has got medical teams in 12 government centres across Dhaka and they are treating people for water-borne diseases, skin rashes and coughs.”
More than 1,200 people are thought to have died and over 60 million people have been affected by the floods which hit India and Nepal as well as Bangladesh. The British Red Cross has already sent over £125,000 from its Disaster Fund to help the relief efforts but more is urgently needed.
Tony adds: “We are expecting further rains in the next ten days and we are now preparing for that. With the monsoon anticipated to last until mid/late September it is unlikely that there will be an early end to this emergency.”
In India and Nepal, the situation is similar with millions of homes damaged and many crops destroyed. Both the Nepal Red Cross and Indian Red Cross have been distributing food, basic shelter materials and other relief items as well as providing emergency healthcare.
To make a donation please telephone 08705 125125 or write to Asia Floods Appeal, British Red Cross, FREEPOST, London, SW1X 7BR or click on the link to the appeal above.
For more information on how to give to the Asia floods appeal | 
