In June 2022, the Sunamganj district of Bangladesh experienced one of the most devastating flash floods in its history, triggered by incessant heavy rainfall and upstream water surges from the Meghalayas. The sudden and widespread flooding submerged vast areas, affecting hundreds of thousands of people, destroying homes, crops, and infrastructure, and severely disrupting livelihoods. The scale of the disaster overwhelmed local capacities and called for immediate humanitarian intervention.
The “Bangladesh Flash Flood 2022 in Sunamganj” project was launched as an emergency response initiative to address the urgent needs of the affected population. Implemented by ERA with support from Oxfam and local stakeholders, the project aimed to provide life-saving assistance, restore basic services, and support early recovery efforts in the most severely impacted areas of Sunamganj.
Key interventions included the distribution of emergency food and non-food items, safe drinking water, hygiene kits, and essential household supplies. Shelter support was provided to displaced families, while health and protection services were extended to vulnerable groups, including women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. The project also prioritized water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) initiatives to prevent the outbreak of waterborne diseases.
Beyond immediate relief, the project incorporated early recovery components such as cash-based assistance, livelihood restoration, and the rehabilitation of community infrastructure. Community engagement and coordination with local disaster management committees ensured that the response was context-specific, inclusive, and aligned with the priorities of those most affected.
The overall goal of the project was to reduce the human suffering caused by the flash floods, support the resilience and recovery of affected communities, and strengthen local capacity to respond to future climate-induced disasters. By combining rapid humanitarian response with a pathway to recovery, the project contributed to building a more disaster-resilient Sunamganj.