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By Maloy Kumar Dutta

DHAKA, Nov 15, 2024 (BSS) – The interim government has taken pragmatic measures in the disaster management and relief sector during its maiden 100 days since taking oath on August 8 following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s regime on August 5 amid students-led mass uprising.

Since assuming office, the government has been taking various measures to speed up activities of all institutions and strengthen the institutional efficacy to serve the people up to the grassroots being imbued with the spirit of July movement to build a discrimination-free inclusive country.    

As part of the efforts, the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief has also taken steps to strengthen its overall capacity to deal with any natural or man-made disaster as it has already had to deal with several rounds of devastating flood in August and September in 17 districts.

“The government put its highest efforts to stand by the flood victims by ensuring required relief goods, medicines and healthcare during the period of flood. Now the ministry is carrying out rehabilitation programme for the flood victims,” Disaster Management and Relief Adviser Faruk E Azam, Bir Protik, told BSS.

He said the ministry has allocated 1800 bundles of corrugated iron (CI) sheets and Taka 54 lakh for repairing of houses damaged in the flood.  
 
Till November 7, the disaster and relief ministry received 331 bank instruments worth total around Taka 97.18 crore donated by various organizations and persons to the relief fund of the Chief Adviser.
A total of 17 districts-Feni, Cumilla, Chattogram, Khagrachhari, Noakhali, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Brahmanbaria, Sylhet, Lakshmipur, Cox's Bazar, Mymensnigh, Sherpur, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Rangpur and Netrokona were affected floods in several phases in August and September last.

Seventy four people were killed in the flood in Cumilla, Feni, Chittagong, Khagrachhari, Noakhali, Brahmanbaria, Lakshmipur, Cox's Bazar and Moulvibazar districts while over 50 lakh people were affected in the flood.

On August 19, severe flood hit 11 districts in the northeastern and southeastern region due to onrush of hilly water from upstream as well as downpour in the region.

Disaster Management and Relief Adviser Faruk E Azam held an urgent meeting with the ministry officials on August 20.

He visited the flood situation in Cumilla and Feni district on August 22-24 and Noakhali, Lakshmipur and Chattogram from August 30 to September 01.      

Over five lakh people were evacuated to around shelter centers during the flood in the eastern region of the country.

Sufficient number of medical teams worked during the time to provide treatment to flood victims while drinking water, water purification tablet, clothes, medicines, baby foods and sanitary items were also distributed.    

Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy, and Fire Service and Civil Defence Stations, Bangladesh Coast Guard carried out rescue and relief operations during the flood.

The ministry opened control room for providing information round the clock.

In August, 11 districts of the country’s northeastern and southeastern region saw a devastating flash flood as many elderly people of Feni and Noakhali districts claimed that they never witnesses such flash flood in their life time.

 The flood wreaked havoc in the entire eastern region leaving over 70 people killed and  50 lakh people affected and prompting half a million to take refuge in shelter centers and multi-storied buildings of schools and colleges.

 It inflicted Tk 33.46 billion worth of damage on agriculture across 23 districts in eastern Bangladesh. More than 200,000 hectares of crop land were damaged, while 372,733 hectares have been affected by the flooding, according to the official data.  
   
During the crisis period, an unprecedented national unity was seen so that people of all strata thronged Teacher-Student Center (TSC) on Dhaka University campus with relief materials and cash money to stand by the flood affected victims immediately responding to the call of Anti-Discrimination Student Movement that led the July-August mass uprising toppling the over 15-year long Sheikh Hasina’s autocratic regime.
 
Massive number of people was seen standing in long queue to deposit their donation to the volunteers of Anti-Discrimination Student Movement at TSC.
 
With joint efforts with the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry, collected money and relief goods were distributed among the flood hit areas. 

A large portion of donation collected at TSC was later provided to Chief Adviser’s Relief Fund for rehabilitation programme for the flood victims.       
 
The disaster management and relief ministry allocated Taka 4.75 crore (cash) and 37,500 packets of dry food for flood victims in 43 districts including flood affected ones of the country from August 6 to October 29.

Besides, the ministry allocated Taka 2.90 crore for baby food and Taka 2.90 cr for buying fodder as part of relief efforts during the period.

Representative of UN Resident Coordinator, UNHCR Country Representative, US Ambassador, British High Commissioner, World Bank Acting Country Director, High Commissioner of Australia paid courtesy call on the advisor and discussed on disaster management, flood situation and rehabilitation and other issues.

On September 7, the adviser visited the flood affected districts of Moulvibazar and Habiganj and exchanged views with the district administration and provided necessary directions for maximum assistance to the flood victims.

He gave the necessary directions to the representatives of various ministries to help the flood victims in the meeting of the inter-ministerial disaster management coordination committee on September 17, 2024.

Among other activities of the ministry during the period, 16,831 metric tons of rice was allocated and distributed in 64 districts of the country on the occasion of Durga Puja in September 2024.

Among development activities, a total of 12 projects including 10 under the Annual Development Program (ADP) and 2 outside the Annual Development Program is being implementation by the Department of Disaster Management.

In September, the ministry provided ladders with the height of 38m, 58m and 64m to Department of Fire Service and Civil Defense for use in various disaster rescue operations.