Since the flooding in 2004, the Carrefour International Foundation has been working closely with the Bangladesh NGO Friendship to bring aid to isolated populations.  In July 2004, thanks to the support of the Foundation, Friendship distributed 600,000 survival rations, helped dig wells and latrines, and rebuilt 600 homes that had been swept away by the floods.

In order to provide targeted aid and reduce the long-term impact of the flooding, in 2007 the Foundation decided to finance a three-year program of house elevation, disaster management preparation, and organization of mutual aid.  Thus, in addition to the health services provided by the floating hospital to 200,000 patients since 2002, and the construction of ten schools, agronomists and technical advisors will help island dwellers to optimize their economy, and attempt to find the best way to protect homes from the devastating flooding of the Brahmaputra River.  

To learn more: The aid program will provide both materials and know-how to the inhabitants of the Bay of Bengal to enable them to participate in shared microprojects. These projects will allow them to earn their living through production (irrigation, fishing and animal husbandry), trade (boats, telephones), or through appropriate, mature technologies that improve quality of life (solar energy, mechanized ploughing).

In 2008, the organization extended its care activities by commissioning another catamaran hospital.

In addition, Friendship has just established 10 schools as part of a pilot programme that looks set to expand. The organization built the schools and selected and trained teachers from the local community. It has also designed a school programme that is specially adapted to children living in these regions and conditions.

The Friendship organization uses its specialists to advise and help the island inhabitants to optimize their economy and is working on finding the best way of protecting their homes against the devastating Brahmaputra floods.