23 August 2024
We at the Rohingya Centre UK (RCUK) stand in unwavering solidarity with the people of Bangladesh during this time of immense hardship. The recent flooding, which has affected nearly 3 million people, has submerged entire communities, leaving families stranded on rooftops, and sweeping away homes. This catastrophe has thrown countless lives into chaos.
Shariful Islam, a 47-year-old resident who has lived in the area for 25 years, described the dire situation:
“This flood came from India, because India opened the dam. If this water goes over, it will flood the whole area and Cumilla city.”
India’s Ministry of External Affairs, however, dismissed the accusations that the flooding was due to the forced opening of a dam on the Gomati River, which flows through Tripura and enters Bangladesh through the district of Comilla. They stated that the floods were caused by the “heaviest rains of this year over the last few days.”
Regardless of the cause, the situation on the ground remains critical. The flooding has resulted in widespread devastation, and the Bangladeshi people now face immense suffering as they struggle to cope with this disaster.
Bangladesh has been a devoted friend to the Rohingya community, offering refuge and safety during our darkest hours. Now, as their own citizens face extreme hardship, we feel compelled to stand with them, offering whatever support we can to help alleviate the immense burden they bear now.
We call on the UK government and international community to take immediate action to provide relief to the affected communities in Bangladesh. There must be coordinated efforts to deliver relief, rebuild homes, and provide essential resources to those in desperate need.
We urge all governments, NGOs, and individuals to contribute generously to relief efforts and to ensure that the voices of the victims are heard. Their suffering must not be ignored, and it is critical that long-term solutions are found to prevent further devastation.
At RCUK, we remain committed to doing whatever we can to support the people of Bangladesh. We will continue to raise awareness, mobilise resources, and stand side by side with our Bangladeshi brothers and sisters during this challenging time.
Our prayers are with the victims and their families, and we remain hopeful that through unity and action, we can help Bangladesh recover and rebuild.
In solidarity,
Rohingya Centre UK (RCUK)