Food crisis grips Sidr-hit Southkhali

Worst hit by the Sidr on November 15 last year, Southkhali union under Sharankhola upazila of Bagerhat district now sees severe food crisis and many people are reportedly suffering from various diseases resulting from starvation and semi-starvation.
Lack of employment opportunity coupled with absence of relief for the Sidr-hit people during the last three months has worsened the situation, locals said.
Ravaged by the cyclonic storm Sidr in November last year, Southkhali is yet to recover from the blow and now people of the area are in the grip of severe food crisis, said UP Chairman Anwar Hossain Panchayet.
Most of the relief goods were not properly distributed among deserving Sidr-hit people, the UP chairman said.
Later a group of touts misappropriated a major quantity of relief goods by giving wrong information to authorities of different non-government organisations like WFP, CARE, Brac, Muslim Aid (UK), Bank Asia and Red Crescent Society, he said.
Freedom fighter Ali Hasan and Abdur Rob Howlader of Bogi village of Southkhali union said 90 per cent people are facing food crisis in the area as they have no scope to engage in income generating activities.
Food crisis may lead to a number of deaths from starvation as it is quite impossible to cope with current price hike of essentials including rice, said Motaleb Munshi, Sultan Fakir and Shiuli Begum of Khurhiakhali village of Southkhali union.
As distribution of relief goods including rice and lentil has remained suspended for the last three months the situation has taken a serious turn and the children are the worst sufferers, they said.
Asked about the situation, Sharankhola UNO Khandaker Zahirul Islam said, “I will try my level best to address current food crisis at Southkhali union.
"I will ask for food aid from district administration and request NGOs to resume relief distribution in the area.”