Inadequate relief efforts amid double disaster
Facing two disasters -- the pandemic and flood -- simultaneously, poor people in northern areas of the country are suffering immensely, and they're not getting adequate aid from the government.
Civil society members and local people joined a webinar on effectiveness of government relief works during the coronavirus outbreak and flood situation yesterday, where they alleged that there has been mismanagement and misdirection of aid, politicisation and nepotism in relief distribution and assistance to people who were affected badly amid the disasters. Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) and Oxfam in Bangladesh organised the webinar.
Mostofa Amir Sabbih, senior research associate of CPD in his key presentation said that they have done a telephone interview based survey. They interviewed 30 beneficiaries of Kaunia upazila of Rangpur district who were eligible for getting Covid-19 assistance and flood relief.
He said that the interviewees claimed there has been politicisation and nepotism while selecting beneficiaries for the Tk 2,500 cash support for each poor family.
Almost all beneficiaries alleged that they get 10 kilograms of rice instead of the allotted 20kg rice, he said.
Only a few flood-affected people got 10kg of rice, and only two of the interviewees received Tk 300 in cash, he added.
He also said that there was lack of transparency in selecting beneficiaries and lack of publicity about the benefits.
Kaunia resident Azizul Islam alleged that there were at least 150 families who would be eligible for Tk 2,500 cash assistance in his area but only five families received it, of whom only three were truly eligible for the cash.
Renu Bala of the same area said that people involved in dairy business are facing hardship due to the flood but they're receiving barely any assistance.
Distinguished Fellow at CPD and convener of the Citizen's Platform for SDGs in Bangladesh Debapriya Bhattacharya said that the worst-affected people, especially people with disabilities and marginalised communities should have been prioritised when selecting beneficiaries.
He said that local government authorities should display the names of beneficiaries to increase transparency.
Rangpur district Deputy Commissioner Asib Ahsan said that it was a challenge to distribute assistance among flood victims and those affected by the pandemic while still maintaining social distance.
He said that they received some allegations and are trying to resolve it immediately.
NGO Affairs Bureau Director General Md Rashedul Islam said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had directed that people irrespective of parties get the benefit if they are in need.
He said joint efforts from all are needed to face multiple disasters like the virus outbreak and flood.
Oxfam in Bangladesh's Country Director Dipankar Datta, CPD Executive Director Fahmida Khatun and others also spoke at the webinar which was moderated by CPD Distinguished Fellow, Prof Mustafizur Rahman.
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