Dhaka: The ongoing floods, caused by the onrush of water from upstream coupled with incessant rains, affect half a million families and among those six lakh are children, according to an immediate estimate of Save the Children in Bangladesh.

Floodwaters pouring through villages in northern Bangladesh have left 2.2 million people homeless and 37 dead, according to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief.

Hundreds of schools are closed disrupting studies for thousands of children in 20 districts. Washed out roads and damaged crops are threatening to have long term adverse effects, said a press release of Save the Children in Bangladesh.

Save the Children is ready to respond in Kurigram and Sirajganj, the two worst affected districts with necessary relief materials.

"We've already deployed our teams in Kurigram and Sirajganj districts and are closely monitoring the situation with local partner organisations, local administration and the Department of Disaster Management, Government of Bangladesh. We are seriously concerned about children as they are the most vulnerable group. Our stocks are ready to be distributed among the affected families and their children," said Mark Pierce, country director for Save the Children in Bangladesh.

Save the Children, a leading aid agency for children has been working in Bangladesh since 1970, saving lives of children by responding to humanitarian emergencies caused by any disasters.