Nearly a hundred thousand blankets (1 lakh) were estimated handed out to cold-hit victims all over the country by well-meaning organizations and commercial firms. Private companies can only serve limitedly and millions more living below the poverty line are in need of blankets and winter clothes to fight the cold.

This cry for blankets just speaks of one thing -- Poverty. It speaks of people who are unable to buy the basic needs in order to survive during such recurring climatic change.

This leaves the government to consider what responsive programs it can do to curb cold-related deaths and sicknesses, directly and in its long-term poverty alleviation programs since its 140 million people where an estimated 50% live below the poverty line.

Similarly, the cold wave sends a message to organizations as well to come up with disaster management plans and relief missions to be done earlier to avert preventable deaths and diseases such as those aggravated by the cold.

The cold wave which registered its lowest at 6.5 Celsius has hit hundreds of people in the country especially in the north. It is a recurring phenomenon year after year. And annually, people, especially young children and the elderly are most struck with this climatic change. Reports say that already nearly 200 persons died of cold-related causes while hundreds are being admitted in hospitals due to cold-linked illness.

Health complexes are filled with victims of the cold wave especially children with respiratory related diseases such as pneumonia while the elderly are mostly hit by hypertension and heart diseases.

Here in Rajshahi Medical Hospital, The Daily Star reports say that more than 300 patients are undergoing treatment and the number of admission exceeded last 3 year's records. The situation is getting worse as more patients from the northern districts are arriving for their admission.

Organizations, it has been noted, have conducted their own relief missions for their own beneficiaries while other commercial firms have responded in wider scale to this call for blankets and winter clothes.

Dutch Bangla Bank Limited distributed 20,000 blankets to those struggling with the cold in the northern districts of Panchagarch,Thakurgaon, Dinajpur, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Nilphamari, Gaibanda, Joypurhat, Bogra and Sirajjanj. Grameen Phone also recently distributed winter clothes and blankets to indigent people of Kamrangir Char in Dhaka.

The NGOs could only respond with whatever resources they have for their respective beneficiaries. And NGOs, which could only rely on support from donors, could only provide based on programmed systems leaving a lot more people needing help.

In their limited capacities, some non- government organizations like Kakonhat upazila based Adibahi Sangkrutik Unnayan Sangstha (ASUS) and Rajshahi-based Adivasi Unnayan Songstha (AUS) also very recently distributed blankets and clothes for their beneficiaries who are mostly Adivasis living in Kakonhat, Godagari and Tanore upazillas.

While relief is not a programmed activity of said Adivasi- based NGOs, AUS for one went to seek the support of neighbors, relatives and friends. Staff of Dhaka-based Volunteer Service Overseas (VSO) donated cash to AUS and this utilized on blankets distributed last January 17 to AUS' Adivasi- beneficiaries in Tanore upazilla.

Some other charity organizations too, such as the Catholic Church distributed warm clothes and blankets to their own congregation. Fr Francis Soren and Fr Paolo Ciceri of Bagmapara Cathedral here at Rajshahi City said that the church services its congregation mostly to Adivasis from 11 nearby villages. While the Christian Church does pre-primary and primary education for its beneficiaries, it also gives out warm clothes and blankets to its 4000 beneficiaries.

Also, Fr Arturo Speziale of Mohammadpur-based St Christina Church gave blankets to Bagdi street dwellers in Guaria village of Daulatpor Upazila, with donations from some members of the congregation.

Reports also say Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (BSD) and Ichamoti Samaj Unnayan distributed blankets to Sirajganj and Shatkira and 30,000 pieces of warm clothes all over the country. This article intends to mention that all organizations and individuals listed above who extended their support to provide warm clothing to people in need.

While the private sector has responded to people in need of blankets and winter clothes with what they can, the government, apparently, is slow to respond. While reports say that 4,500 blankets were distributed in Gaibandha by the district administration, some other district officials reportedly, are on the process of asking the support of authorities to help out in providing the needed blankets and clothes for their constituencies.

And one of the basic health facilities, aside from blankets, which government needs to provide immediately are nebulizers to ease breathing among asthmatic victims. Nebulizers were found to be greatly lacking in health complexes as cold-hit victims were admitted to the hospitals.

The government, which has more resources, a nationwide network, and an obligation to serve the people, is in an accountable state to curb preventable cold-related deaths and diseases and provide the necessary services. And this is to include fighting poverty and corruption for which the country is famous. In this manner, a family who are economically able can easily buy a basic need such as a blanket.

Where people have access to basic resources such as land, capital, education and employment, buying a basic need as a blanket and a warm jacket for a child does not come so difficult

With the up coming elections, hope is sent out to would-be-authorities in government to respond to the above concerns.

The following is a brief update of a siet bostro activity yesterday, January 17.

Blankets distributed to Adivasi-Santals

TANORE- Some 400 residents of 40 villages of Tanore upazilla availed of blankets and clothes from Adivasi Unnayan Songstha (AUS) and Santal Students Union (SASU) today, January17, 2007.

AUS Director Bhagbot Tudu and SASU officer Luis Murmu distributed the blankets to beneficiary Adivasi- Santals most of whom are elderly, disabled, women and children in response to the cold wave affecting most especially the northern part of the country.

Blankets and clothes are donations from friends, neighbors and staff of AUS and SASU including Rajshahi -based Star Craft Handicrafts and Caritas staff. Staff of Dhaka-based Volunteer Service Overseas (VSO) also donated cash, which was spent for blankets.

The AUS director thanks all those who supported the move to provide relief to cold-hit victims, as he forwarded that support should further on for Adivasi welfare.

Gina Dizon is a freelance contributor to The Daily Star.