Flood damage assessment

It has been reported that the finance minister has rejected the flood damage estimates of the UN and other organisations as 'mere guess-work', an indication that a clear picture of the damage would take some more time to emerge.

He has further said that the government will work with the donors to assess the extent of the damage, and finalise a rehabilitation plan accordingly. It is not really surprising that the damage estimates of the UN, the government and the private research organisations vary widely, given their respective methodologies and channels of information collection. But it is imperative that a consensual estimate is arrived at without wasting any more time. Time is a crucially important factor. The agriculture sector needs quick logistic support in the form of inputs as farmers have been hit hard. The industries sector has also been dealt a body-blow and only quick measures can help it recover. Finally, the communications system and other infrastructures have been damaged in many places. So, the rehabilitation plan has to be implemented as quickly as possible.

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The hazards associated with having inflated, flawed, or deflated damage estimates are obvious. An over-estimation could send wrong signals to the donors and somewhat dampen the investment climate for the country. The government is planning to send its teams to the flood-stricken areas to assess the situation after the floodwaters recede fully. True, the situation in some places is still not suitable for starting rehabilitation operations. However, there is no point in wasting time when it comes to the areas where floods have subsided.

It is of utmost importance that the government of Bangladesh, the donors, UN agencies and NGO organisations have better cooperation and coordination at the needs assessment stage which will facilitate an all-round implementation of the rehabilitation programmes we undertake. From this point of view, it is essential that the wrangling over the real extent of the damage be put behind us as soon as possible.