Staff Reporter :
About 50 lakh people in 31 districts across the country became victims of the ongoing flood. But the government granted Tk 5 crore only for them transpiring Tk eight per head.
Astonishingly, minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman said, the amount is enough.
The flood affected districts are Dhaka, Gazipur, Tangail, Manikganj, Faridpur, Munshiganj, Rajbari, Madaripur, Shariatpur, Kishorganj, Mymensingh, Netrokona, Jamalpur, Chandpur, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Brahmanbaria, Rajshahi, Naogaon, Natore, Sirajganj, Bogra, Rangpur, Kurigram, Nilphamari, Gaibandha, Lalmonirhat, Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Hobiganj and Sunamganj.
But economists differed with the minister’s opinion saying this year’s flood will be longest one, requiring more relief and government allocation for flood affected people.
The economists also suggested more allocation and fair distribution.
CPD’s Senior Research Fellow Towfiqul Islam Khan said, there were irregularities in the process of making list of affected people. Our previous experience shows that the local distribution systems are not acceptable.
Sources said, the people of the flood hit areas are leading an inhuman life. They have lost their homes, crops, cattle and living under open sky. The immediate government assistant is crying need for them.
But the victims did not get adequate relief yet, locals said.
In Gaibanda, more than 1.5 lakh people in 40 unions of six upazilas have been marooned. Unemployment and low income people are more affected by the three phases of flood. The poor families are without food living under open sky.
In Kurigram, people in the flood affected areas in Kurigram are complaining of shortage of food and government assistance as they struggle to survive and worry over a bleak future. An estimate of 300,000 people in 60 unions of nine upazilas have been marooned while 70 feet area of Burirhat and Gaburhelan spars in Rajarhat upazila were gobbled by strong currents.
About 2,000 houses in the district have been devoured by the river while 50,000 houses were damaged. According to the District Health Service sources, over 40,000 tube-wells of the district have gone under water, sparking a pure drinking water crisis.
According to Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief data, the allocated cash for flood victims was less than Tk 8 per head while rice less than three kilograms.
Despite the fact, the minister has claimed that the allotment is adequate.
Dr Md Enamur Rahman also said, the ministry helps only the poor and vulnerable people that are no more than 10 percent. We have enough preparation to help the affected people. Hard cash and tin will be distributed among them who have lost their homes. After the flood water recede we will disburse that assistance.
A total of 41 people so far died during the flood. Of them, 15 are in Jamalpur, one in Lalmonirhat, three in Sunamganj, one in Sylhet, 9 in Kurigram,four in Tangail, two in Manikganj, one in Gaibandha as well as two each in Naogaon and Sirajganj.
