Providing Healthcare in Flood-Prone Areas of Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, severe floods caused by climate change have disrupted the lives of millions of people. The shifting islands of the Brahma Putra River are especially vulnerable, forcing people to leave their homes and belongings behind. This problem is exacerbated by the impossibility of building essential infrastructure due to the floods. To address this, an organization called Friendship, founded by Runa Khan, brings healthcare to remote areas of Bangladesh on ships. With over 4,000 employees, Friendship operates two floating hospitals and one on land, providing free surgeries, medicines, medical checkups, and various specialized care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Friendship played a crucial role in vaccination campaigns and supporting the rollout in hard-to-reach areas. However, Runa Khan emphasizes the importance of strengthening communities to face the challenges of climate change.