Week-long rains in southeastern Bangladesh have killed 34 people and affected 241,000+, as Caritas Bangladesh and Jesus Youth aid flood victims.
Newsroom (13/07/2026 Gaudium Press ) Week-long torrential rains have unleashed devastating floods and landslides across southeastern Bangladesh, killing at least 34 people and impacting more than 241,000 residents, including thousands of Rohingya refugees living in vulnerable camps in the region.
The disaster has struck large parts of the Chittagong region, with severe flooding and landslide incidents reported across Cox’s Bazar, Rangamati, Chattogram, and Bandarban districts. According to Caritas Bangladesh, the crisis has also left at least 28 people injured across four refugee camps, six sub-districts, two municipalities, and the Chattogram City Corporation area.
Among those affected are 7,416 Rohingya refugees residing in 25 camps. Overall, a total of 241,154 people have been severely impacted by the floods and landslides across 46 unions and three municipalities in 16 sub-districts.
As communities struggle with rising waters, damaged infrastructure, and continuing rainfall, humanitarian organizations have mobilized emergency relief efforts to assist those most in need.
Caritas Bangladesh Launches Emergency Response
Caritas Bangladesh, the social service arm of the Catholic Church in the country, has begun providing emergency assistance to families affected by the disaster.
“Our Chattogram Regional Office will provide dry food to 200 households today,” said Apurbo Mrong, Program Director of Caritas Bangladesh.
The organization is closely monitoring relief efforts being carried out by government authorities, local and national organizations, international NGOs, and United Nations agencies. At the same time, Caritas is deploying its own emergency funds to deliver lifesaving aid to the most severely affected communities.
The charity has indicated that it will also participate in emergency response funding opportunities offered by UN agencies, international non-governmental organizations, and institutional donors to expand support in affected areas.
Caritas is further coordinating with members of Start Bangladesh, part of a global humanitarian network of 134 NGOs operating across six continents. Through this partnership, the organization aims to identify gaps in relief efforts and ensure assistance reaches underserved communities.
“Our team and volunteers are on the ground and supporting the local government as well as vulnerable households in their best possible way,” Mrong said.
With rain continuing across the region, Caritas has warned that needs may intensify in the coming days.
“As rain is still continuing, we will extend our support to the affected community, based on the need and funding availability,” Mrong added.
The organization is also working to mobilize local emergency funding to accelerate aid delivery and help flood-affected families meet urgent needs.
Essential Supplies Reaching Families
Emergency relief packages distributed by Caritas include staple food and survival items designed to meet immediate needs.
Each package contains several pounds of rice, approximately two pounds of jaggery — a traditional cane sugar concentrate widely consumed throughout South Asia — two liters of drinking water, candles, and a gas lighter.
Around 200 families are currently receiving the assistance as relief efforts continue.
Catholic Youth Volunteers Step Forward
Alongside Caritas, the Catholic youth movement Jesus Youth has emerged as an important grassroots responder in flood-hit areas.
Members of the organization have been distributing food and clean drinking water while assisting local residents with evacuation efforts.
In Bandarban town and surrounding communities, the Jesus Youth Bandarban Team has launched a campaign to provide safe drinking water to families displaced or affected by floodwaters.
“While it is not possible to reach every flood-affected area, we are doing our best to serve as many people as we can with the resources available,” the group said in a message posted on Facebook.
The volunteers emphasized that even small acts of assistance can provide comfort and hope during emergencies.
“Every bottle of clean water delivered is a reminder that even a small act of love can bring hope in difficult times,” the group said.
Continuing Challenges
The ongoing rainfall remains a major concern for relief agencies and local authorities. Floodwaters and unstable hillsides continue to threaten communities across southeastern Bangladesh, raising fears that the humanitarian situation could worsen.
For many residents, including thousands of Rohingya refugees already living in precarious conditions, the disaster has compounded existing vulnerabilities. Humanitarian groups are therefore focusing not only on immediate relief but also on identifying unmet needs and ensuring assistance reaches the hardest-hit populations.
As emergency operations continue, faith-based organizations and volunteers remain at the forefront of local response efforts, providing food, water, and support to families facing the aftermath of one of the region’s most severe weather-related disasters.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Crux Now
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