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Families in the flood-ravaged district of Bandarban, Bangladesh, are seeking refuge in forests and on hillsides as relentless rainfall and flash floods have submerged their homes. Residents from areas like Lemujhiri Marma Para have been spending nights in the wilderness with their children, their limited dry food supplies exhausted and essential belongings trapped in their inaccessible homes.

The immediate appeal from the displaced is for basic sustenance. "We just need some rice or a little cooked food. We can stay hungry, but our children need something to eat," said one resident, highlighting the dire situation. The plight is not isolated to one neighborhood; numerous communities in remote and isolated parts of Bandarban report a lack of support despite official relief efforts reaching designated shelters.

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We just need some rice or a little cooked food. We can stay hungry, but our children need something to eat.

Five consecutive days of heavy downpours have led to severe flooding across the district, stranding over 10,000 people and bringing life to a standstill as roads became inundated. Waist-deep to neck-deep water has engulfed low-lying areas within Bandarban municipality, forcing thousands to abandon their homes for shelters, relatives' houses, or the relative safety of higher ground.

The district administration has opened 220 emergency shelters across various sub-districts. Deputy Commissioner Saniul Ferdous acknowledged the challenges, stating, "The district administration is working to ensure food and other essential assistance for families staying at the 220 shelters. However, delivering relief quickly to people stranded in remote and isolated areas remains the biggest challenge."

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The district administration is working to ensure food and other essential assistance for families staying at the 220 shelters. However, delivering relief quickly to people stranded in remote and isolated areas remains the biggest challenge.