Orion’s relief operations to continue till flood-hit people can resume normal lives

Orion Group, one of the largest conglomerates in the country that has stood by the victims of the ongoing floods in several areas including Feni, Cumilla, Noakhali and Chattogram, has said its relief operations will continue until the affected people can resume their normal lives.

In a press statement issued today, Orion said, “The severe flood situation in the eastern region of the country is increasingly becoming direr, with nearly 50 lakh people stranded in areas including Feni, Noakhali, Cumilla, Chattogram, Khagrachari, Brahmanbaria, Moulvibazar and Habiganj. Although the situation is gradually improving, a massive food and humanitarian crisis has already emerged in these regions, making the distribution of relief to the affected people urgently necessary.”

Under the circumstances, Orion said, it has swiftly continued rescue operations and relief distribution efforts in the flood-affected areas under its own management since 22 August.

The conglomerate said it has stepped up to support the flood-affected people by providing them with daily essential food items such as rice, lentils, potatoes, and onions, along with dry foods like flattened rice, sugar, biscuits, water, saline, and necessary medicines.

A sufficient amount of baby food is also being distributed to children, it said. Rescue and relief operations are being conducted in remote and high-risk areas, Orion said, adding that notable distribution areas include Chirunia, Hossainia Madrasa, Ratanpur Taltala Mosque, Birulia Bazar, Purbo Chilonya, Fazilpur, Dakshin Chandpur, Mohipal in Feni; Akhaura and Kasba of Brahmanbaria; and Langolkot in Cumilla.

To organise the relief distribution and rescue operations effectively, a dedicated team from Orion is working closely with local disaster management committees and volunteers, it said. 

The team is focusing on addressing the needs of children, women, persons with disabilities, and the elderly during the crisis, it added. 

Orion said as there is also a significant need for medical assistance in the affected areas, it is providing the flood-affected people with free medical check-ups and medicines through the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries.

The conglomerate said it has donated one day’s salary from its employees to address the challenges of managing the current and post-flood impacts, particularly to support those whose homes and other possessions have been swept away.