Support Needed Even After Floodwaters Recede: How to Prepare

Sudden floods have devastated vast regions of the country, leaving behind long-term impacts. Even after the floodwaters recede, people cannot easily return to a safe and normal life. Flood-affected areas face various health risks, making the return to normalcy a significant challenge.

Dr. Saif Hossain Khan, a Medicine Consultant at Popular Diagnostic Center in Dhanmondi, emphasizes, "When people begin returning to their homes after the floodwaters have receded, it’s crucial to stay healthy and safe by being mindful of certain precautions. Ensuring access to safe drinking water and food is essential, as is maintaining proper hygiene."

Here are some key considerations shared by Dr. Saif Hossain Khan, which can be valuable for those who wish to assist flood victims. Simply sending financial aid might not be enough; preparing for post-flood support is also necessary. Let’s explore the types of assistance that might be needed for flood victims:

1. Water Purification Tablets and Alum

Flood-affected areas often suffer from a lack of safe drinking water. Contaminated water can quickly spread diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, typhoid, and jaundice. Since water is essential for survival, sending alum and water purification tablets to these areas is crucial.

2. Essential Medicines

Oral rehydration salts (ORS) are considered a life-saving invention, especially in flood-affected regions. In addition to ORS, sending paracetamol can be beneficial. Gauze and bandages can be useful for treating cuts and injuries. To provide effective assistance, you can consult with local healthcare centers to determine which medicines are most needed and send them accordingly.

3. Cleaning Supplies

Maintaining personal hygiene is crucial for staying healthy, but environmental cleanliness is equally important. Clothes, utensils, floors, and everyday items that have come into contact with floodwaters need to be disinfected. Therefore, large quantities of soap, detergent, and bleaching powder are required after the flood.

4. Essential Items for Women and Children

In difficult situations, women can face severe hardships, and children’s health is also at risk. Personal hygiene products are essential for women’s health. Additionally, items such as baby food, feeding bottles, and clothing for children can be very helpful in flood-affected areas.

5. Groceries and Essentials

When people begin returning to their homes after the floodwaters recede, they may not be able to cook immediately. Local markets may also lack essential supplies. In such situations, sending essential items like rice, lentils, powdered milk, and spices can be helpful. It’s also important to consider the needs of pets and other animals in these areas and provide food for them as well.

6. Dry Food

Even after the floodwaters recede, there remains a risk of further flooding due to heavy rain or other factors. Therefore, it’s essential to have some dry food stocked up. Items like puffed rice, flattened rice, biscuits, nuts, and dates can be sent to flood-affected areas.

7. Safety Equipment

While cleaning their homes, people may need masks, rubber gloves, and rubber boots. You can help by providing these safety items. Additionally, homes that were flooded may have damaged electrical appliances. If possible, you can coordinate with technical service providers to arrange for repairs.

By providing this type of post-flood assistance, you can significantly support those affected by the disaster.