The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) provided emergency food assistance to families affected by the devastating fire that swept through Korail slum on Thursday.
WFP distributed High Energy Biscuits (HEBs) to 1,900 families affected by the Korail fire. The distribution took place at BTCL Girls’ High School, near the affected area, where hundreds of families have taken temporary shelter after losing nearly all their belongings.
WFP coordinated closely with the Department of Disaster Management (DDM), Dhaka North City Corporation, and partner Eco Social Development Organization (ESDO) for the operation.
Each family received a 5 kg carton of HEBs, a ready-to-eat product fortified with essential vitamins, minerals, protein, and carbohydrates. The distribution will cover approximately three days of nutritional needs for each family.
WFP has operated in Bangladesh since 1974, supporting millions through emergency response and resilience-building programmes. HEBs are also widely used in WFP-assisted school feeding programmes, which have been running since 2001.
In 2024 alone, WFP responded to Cyclone Remal and multiple floods, reaching 2.8 million people with emergency food, cash, and recovery support.
“Following today’s distribution, WFP will continue to coordinate with local authorities and humanitarian partners to monitor the situation and stands ready to provide additional assistance if needed,” said Deputy Country Director at World Food Programme, Simone Parchment.
