In Bangladesh water recedes, woes mount

Dhaka (AsiaNews) - Floodwaters are slowly receding after submerging nearly two-thirds of the country. Still, many residents are still cut off and in dire need of food and clean water. The severity of the floods blighted the lives of about 30 million people and overstretched the entire flood response systems. The flooding, which caused property and infrastructure damage for US$ 7.2 billion, is the heaviest seen in Bangladesh since 1988 when it claimed over 650 dead and left 21 million homeless. About 1.5 million people are languishing in about 5,000 shelters. Flood victims lack safe drinking water, food, and medicines .

The World Food Programme (WFP) has already warned the government of Bangladesh that a possible humanitarian crisis might follow the floods. Since the country did not produce any food surplus in last three years, the government is going to be hard pressed to deal with the post-flood situation. In addition to the food assistance it is providing to 2 million flood victims, the WFP is planning to launch a major emergency operation beginning the third week of this month. About five million people should benefit from it.

In the meantime, outbreaks of water-borne diseases including diarrhoea have been reported in several flood-hit rural areas affecting thousands of people. Since the beginning of the crisis, over 100,000 people have been affected with about 7,500 new patients admitted to hospital on Monday, August 3, alone.

Safe drinking water remains a problem in flood-affected areas with most tubewells now under water. People are forced to drink and cook with unsafe water. Water purifying tablets, chlorine solution, and oral saline are not made available in sufficient quantities. Because of week-long submersion fevers, jaundice and stomach ailments are spreading in epidemic proportions. Children are especially affected by the lack of appropriate baby food.

According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) damages in the agriculture sector now stand at around US$ 7 billion. Losses in the garment industry are estimated at US$ 500 million. Poultry, fisheries, livestock, and the nursery sectors have suffered huge losses as well. The country's infrastructure was hard hit.

Rice seed prices may soon be four or five times the normal price. About 30,000 nurseries, mostly small and medium size, are a total loss, another 85,000 have suffered serious damages. Net result: overall losses for US$ 4 million and around 100,000 people out of work. The government will have to shift funds destined for transportation infrastructure development to rehabilitation work. Foreign assistance will be key to its plans.

In the remotest flood-affected areas prices for essential staples like rice, pulses, edible oils, pressed rice, etc., have shot up. Low- and fixed-income flood victims can hardly cope with the rising prices. The poorest farmers are being forced to sell their livestock at below market value. Flood-induced unemployment is making starvation a very distinct possibility.

In places like Chandpur, Sirajganj, Gaibhanda, Kurigram, Bagura, Manikganj, Munshiganj Bhola as waters recede top land is being eroded. In Haimchar and Chandpur sub-districts flood-related erosion has left about 100 families homeless.

Through its six regional offices, Caritas Internationalis is providing immediate relief in Barisal, Dhaka, Dinajpur, Khulna, Mymensingh and Rajshahi. Close to 32,000 families in the worst affected areas are receiving 15 kg rice, 3 kg pulses, 1 litre soybean oil, and 1 kg salt each. Caritas expects to expand its relief programme to include another 13,000 families. The relief distribution programme should be completed by August 25. Its 35 dispensaries are also being beefed up.  Caritas' 3,400 employees have responded to the crisis by donating one day salary to its relief fund.

Rehabilitation

The Caritas Rehabilitation Programme includes short-term and long-term portions:

Emergency Cash for Works

The original plan for emergency cash for works was revised. Its purpose is to extend support to poor people, including women, through short-term employment in affected areas. This includes road and embankment repair, small bridge and culvert construction, etc.

Low Cost Housing

The original plan for low cost housing was also revised. Caritas now plans to build 8,000 (in lieu of 5,500) Caritas Model Low Cost Houses as soon as the flood waters recede. Priority goes to the poor and destitute, particularly families headed by widows and the elderly. (MA)

            

Contributions to the program can be sent via bank transfer to:

Bank Account Number 710-26967 with American Express Bank Ltd.,

SWIFT Code No. AEIBBDDX,

Motijheel Commercial Area, Dhaka-1000,

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