The New Nation - Internet Edition

New Nation Desk

The UK has just announced about $500,000 (Taka 3.4 crore) contribution to the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Diseases Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) for treating people with diarrhoea. This will help ICDDR,B treat 1000 patients a day with saline, antibiotics and provide food and electricity for the temporary wards.

$400,000 of this amount is additional money from DFID, $100,000 is being allocated by UNDP out of the $1.8 million previously provided by the UK (DFID) through UNDP for flood relief.

The recent flood has seen a rapid escalation of the number of patients and ICDDR,B is now treating four times their normal capacity. ICDDR,B has appealed for additional tents, beds, staff, IV saline, and pharmaceuticals to provide treatment to the increasing number of patients arriving every day at the hospital in severe states of dehydration. Up to 30% of these patients could die if they did not receive the life saving and immediate support that ICDDR'B provides.

Responding to the recent floods in Bangladesh, the UK has now given $4.2 million (Taka 28.8 crore) of immediate aid, providing food, water, shelter and life-saving medicines reaching almost 1 million people in the worst-affected districts. The assistance has been provided through UNDP, the Chars Livelihoods Programme, and the ICDDR,B.

The new DFID Country Representative Chris Austin said, "The monsoon is not yet over here though water has receded in many places leading to a spread of waterborne diseases such as diarrhoea. The Government of Bangladesh and the non-government organisations such as ICDDR,B are doing a fantastic job to deal with these effects. And the UK is glad to be helping.

But we are well aware of the possibility of further rain and resurgence in the flooding, and we stand ready to provide even further suppoort if needed."

Every year, the UK contributes $ 240 million (Taka 1646 crore) through DFID in support of Bangladesh's development efforts, making it the largest bilateral partner.