Disaster fund losing direction as political choice overtakes

A NEW study conducted by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) released on last Wednesday, revealed that political preference in relief distribution dangerously affected the government’s emergency response programmes in the aftermath of cyclone Roanu. Some 27 casualties were recorded as the cyclone hit the country’s 15 districts in May, last year. However, with regard to distribution of government relief the finding included that many of the actual cyclone victims in six unions were not included in the list prepared for determining losses inflicted by the disaster apparently to keep people out of help in political ground. The lists were prepared either by ruling party supporters, followers and relatives of local Union Parishad or its members.

Moreover NGOs run by ruling party leaders and workers got the major allocations and much of it disappeared instead of reaching affected people. Admittedly, mishandling or misusing of government funds is not a new phenomenon in Bangladesh but the agonizing truth is that its changing modality is matter of growing concern. Moreover, supporters and members of the ruling party have begun to gamble with the lives of disaster hit poor people. This is straightaway unacceptable.

Though the country’s ability to manage natural disasters have been acknowledged internationally in the recent past, but the shady truth behind illegal distribution and exploitation of climate funds in Bangladesh are shocking. For instance, the TIB report has clearly pointed out how some 30 percent of the total fund was illegally divided between various concerned agencies in the name of building post-disaster rehabilitation centres. Coupled with political consideration we also mark a clear lack of accountability and transparency in using climate funds.

Concerning proper execution of preparedness programme, recommendations such as making people aware about risks posed by an impending disaster, ensuring community radio and cell phone services for alerting people in advance and regularly reviewing of embankments and repairing them were not also followed in appropriately responding the cyclone Roanu. In a disaster prone country like Bangladesh, all these marked weaknesses are in need of urgent addressing.

The bottom line is: the entire disaster and relief management structure in Bangladesh is now markedly riddled in a mix of organizational corruption, political interference and clear negligence in executing professional duties.

The pressing need is to overhaul the total disaster management system. More to it – is to ensure an accountable and transparent way of handling climate and disaster prevention funds. Taking notes from the TIB report, the government should now prepare to run the extra mile to free its disaster management schemes from all these visible and proven political and corrupt practices. The alarming climate management scenario should be taken seriously.