After Cyclone Remal the intense tropical cyclone that affected West Bengal and Bangladesh in May 2024, the Order of Malta’s international relief agency, Malteser International, launched an emergency aid program by providing €100,000. Together with local partner organizations, houses, latrines and stables in 34 villages will be rebuilt. In addition, staff will distribute cash to particularly affected households. According to the local authorities, around 4.6 million people have been affected by the cyclone in Bangladesh.

“In some villages, almost the entire harvest has been destroyed and people have lost their means of livelihood. It is important that we now provide rapid aid through our local partner organizations and support the reconstruction of the villages,” says Antje Kania, Country Officer for Bangladesh at Malteser International.

Malteser International has been working in Bangladesh since 2017, primarily in the refugee settlements in the Cox’s Bazaar district. The focus of the work there is on health, water, hygiene, and nutrition. In three health centers, a partner organization provides medical care and psychosocial counselling to people, especially expectant mothers, and newborns.