Taking stock of Sidr
Cyclone disaster is not so infrequent in the coastal areas of Bangladesh. We have experienced 22 cyclones which caused huge loss of forest resources, crops, dwelling houses, roads, culverts and human lives during the last 36 years.
Compared to the past, Bangladesh is much more capable in handling such disasters. However, this cannot be any consolation. Even now, our weather forecasting needs improvement. It was a blunder for the department of meteorology to raise the signal from four to ten so suddenly. The language used in issuing warning was also not intelligible to majority of the people of coastal areas because of low rate of literacy.
Though we have been told that more than 3.2 million people were shifted to safer places, it is common knowledge that number of cyclone shelters is far from adequate. Such an anomaly is not understandable. Shortage of drinking water is serious. No satisfactory medical facility. No shelter for domestic animals during cyclone. Unless some arrangement can be made to shift the cattle and goats to some safer places, it may not be possible for people of the islands to shift from their dwellings.
It is true that the CTG has been able to tackle two floods in a short time rather successfully with the strong support from the armed forces. Though not an elected government, it spared no pains to do its utmost, despite poor support from the business community and the politicians. It has faced the problems arising out of natural disasters all by itself. This is creditable.
Cyclone Sidr is the most powerful cyclone that has ever hit Bangladesh. It attained a speed up to 240km/h. Loss of lives has been estimated between five thousand and fifteen thousand (UN estimate). Loss of forest resources, crops or livestock is yet to be estimated finally. The availability of pure drinking water is far from satisfactory. Due to serious scarcity of drinking water people are compelled to drink contaminated water which is causing spread of water-borne diseases. Even some deaths have been reported in Pirojpur due to this. The administration is trying hard to offer medical aid to cyclone-affected people. However, there is big gap between demand and supply. It is expected that with the arrival of the US ships, the situation will improve a lot.
The chief adviser has invoked all the people of Bangladesh to extend their helping hands to his government, because it is impossible for the government to tackle the problem alone.
The UN has appealed to all its member states to assist Bangladesh to enable her to overcome the tragedy. The response received so far is very encouraging. The government has already received assurances of over $142 million from Saudi Arabia, Japan, UN, Britain, Unicef, WFP, US, India, China, Australia, and Switzerland.
The countries which have announced donations are Spain, Germany, Kuwait, IDB, Netherlands, Denmark, Libya, and ROK. OIC member states, Muslim world's civil society organizations, and relevant NGOs are working for arranging contributions.
Different organisations of expatriate Bangladeshis in the US and elsewhere are also collecting funds. The World Bank has pledged assistance of $250 million. In addition, local people appear to be taking interest in assisting the government. The business houses, professionals, and individuals have started increasing their contributions. Thus, the government's program for immediate relief to cyclone victims appears to be effective.
The US is showing keen interest in solving this Bangladesh crisis. On November 19, two US aircrafts reached Dhaka to provide medical services for the people in the cyclone-hit areas. It is expected that US-assisted operations will start soon.
It would be relevant to mention a few words of special appreciation on the performance of the armed forces in facing the challenge of disaster relief. Among the jobs done are: (a) 13 vessels of Bangladesh navy are conducting rescue and relief operations, (b) the army has installed two water purification plants, distributed cooked food, and distributed water purification tablets, fresh water, emergency medicine, flattened rice, and other relief materials, (c) the coast guard has helped large numbers of fishermen from some affected areas, and (d) air personnel also distributed relief materials to some areas.
Sidr will not be the last cyclone of Bangladesh. Another cyclone may hit us sooner or later. Thus, we have to remain alert and prepared to face the danger. Although the immediate problems of the cyclone appear to be completed, soon the government's main headache will be rehabilitation of 3.5 million people.
With adequate assistance from other countries and increasing cooperation from the local people, the problem can be solved. What is needed now is drawing up of a sound plan to save the life and property of the people because such cyclones are likely to hit frequently in future due to change of sea currents, increase in temperature of sea, and climatic change due to the greenhouse effect.
The frequent visits of cyclones cannot be stopped. What is possible is taking some measures to reduce loss of lives and property as much as possible. The measures contemplated may be: (a) construction of a large number of cyclone shelters, (b) increase in facility for pure drinking water, (c) more flood protection dams, (d) some arrangements for protecting livestock, and (e) increase in areas of social forestry. If Bangladesh can draw up good plan, availability will be no problem.
The writer is a former Joint Secretary.
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