Emergency Response

Learning for Life’s Emergency Relief project exists to provide immediate relief to communities we support in the event of an emergency.

From 2020-22 Learning for Life was able to support communities in Bangladesh impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The first confirmed case of Covid-19 was reported in Bangladesh on 8 March 2020 and Kishoreganj district, where LfL's Floating School are based was placed in lockdown on 10 April 2020. The lockdown had dire consequences for the impoverished communities of this area, as not going out to work meant that they did not have enough money to feed their children. Families faced an impossible dilemma - either they continued to go to work to pay for food and risk catching Covid-19 or they stayed at home and not eat, possibly for days at a time.

As an immediate response Learning for Life provided families with a food parcel containing basic supplies for 30 days, which allowed families to eat basic meals and meant that people did not have to go to work and could keep their families safe from Covid-19. We also provided families with a hygiene package (containing soap, a bucket disinfectant and face masks) for the families and staff. As a result, families were better able to adhere to the lockdown restrictions and keep themselves safe. Our staff also continued to visit families whenever possible to provide need-based support and advice throughout the last year.

In 2022 the worst flooding in over 100 years devastated communities in Bangladesh. Over 5 million people were marooned without food, drinking water, power or mobile networks. Communities in the low-lying areas where Learning for Life's Floating Schools are based were deluged. Fortunately, our Floating Schools themselves were not damaged. However, homes and crops, as well as vital infrastructure such as power supply lines, water sources and roads were all damaged or completely submerged. Vulnerable children, women, men and elders were cut off from life-saving medicine, vital communication and transport. Thanks to the generosity of donors to our emergency flood appeal Learning for Life was able to respond immediately to provide life saving emergency supplies such a food parcels, medical packs and fresh water supplies.