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Thursday, June 4, 2009

Rain adds to sufferings of Aila survivors

Our Correspondent, Satkhira

Rain yesterday added to the sufferings of the cyclone Aila survivors who took shelter on embankments in different areas under Shyamnagar and Assassuni upazilas.

Moreover, the cyclone victims in the remotest areas are still not getting adequate relief allegedly for lack of co-ordination among the relevant authorities.

On the other hand, diarrhoea is spreading fast in these worst Aila-hit upazilas as at least 6,324 people were attacked with the disease till yesterday since the storm on May 25.

Cyclone victim Sultan Gazi, 40, son of Gahar Ali Gazi of village 10 No Sora died of diarrhoea yesterday. More than 250 patients were admitted to hospitals and other local health camps, according to district health department.

Meanwhile, Health and family planning minister Dr AFM Ruhul Haque yesterday visited different cyclone affected areas of the two upazilas and distributed relief materials among the victims.

While addressing people at Abadchandi-pur in Shyamnagar upazila and at Chakla in Assassuni upazilas, he said the government has taken a decision to rebuild the breached embankments by June to mitigate sufferings of the victims.

The re-construction work of the breached embankments, led by Army, would start from June 4, he said.

Distribution of relief materials and healthcare services would continue till rehabilitation of the cyclone survivors and no one would die of starvation or for lack of medicine, he said.

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The devastation that occurred by Aila is unexpected and surprising too in some areas and it has really ravaged some costal belt UZs, Koira under is one of them. The total habitations and infrastructural developments have been destroyed and the most of the areas are still under water , as receding of water has been taking long time due to effect of high tide and low tide in addition to damaged of flood protecting embankments .

Due to acute shortage of shelters, still many people and suffers are moving around and even people from affluent classes, do not have the place to spend.

Relief support from the Government and other charitable organizations are inadequate and shortage of drinking water has made the situation more critical resulting acute suffering from water born diseases.

The effect and impact of Aila will last long and until the rebuilding of the embankments and the reconstruction of embankment should be made with different format not only with the mud and clay , but modern technical methods( Iron, sand, Cement, Hard rock ) to apply for making stronger to withstand against Tidal surge and strong wind as well as for long durability . The Embankments should be raise maintaining proper width and diameter and slop. Moreover plantation to be encouraged across the Costal belt for afforestation .

In the mean time, adequate relief materials to reach ensuring proper and coordinated distributions to the remote areas including financial support for house building as well as short and long term economic support with creation of some employment opportunities under CFR or FFW and continuation of general relief.

Distribution of relief to be made ensuring maintaining fairness and fidelity. UNDP and WFP, UNICEF , FAO could play vital roles to this effect and WHO for health and sanitation

: Nasarullah

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