With over 60 years of experience in managing diarrhoeal diseases, icddr,b is playing a key role in providing emergency support following the devastating floods in Bangladesh. Working closely with the World Health Organization and local authorities, icddr,b is focused on ensuring access to safe water, preventing diarrhoeal outbreaks, and providing life-saving medical supplies.

Swift Collaboration and Emergency Task Force

In response to a request from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement (ADSM) on 23 August, icddr,b supplied critical medical resources over the weekend and established an Emergency Task Force. The seven-member team meets regularly to strategize interventions and collaborate with the Ministry of Health, Bangladesh Armed Forces, and other organizations.

Efforts to Ensure Safe Water

icddr,b has distributed 173,000 water purification tablets, providing clean drinking water to vulnerable communities. Researchers are also developing affordable point-of-care purification methods for flood-affected areas. Additionally, they’ve introduced a simple tubewell disinfection process to restore access to safe water.

Medical Support and Supplies

Essential medical supplies, including ORS, IV saline, and antibiotics, have been distributed to key areas affected by the floods. icddr,b also established on-site medical teams, providing care in remote areas and training healthcare providers on managing diarrhoeal outbreaks.

Education and Awareness Campaigns

icddr,b has produced and distributed thousands of leaflets to educate the public on water purification and diarrhoea prevention. They are working with local celebrities and influencers to amplify these messages on social media, ensuring widespread awareness of safe practices.