Post-Sidr relief operations
The most fierce and powerful super-hurricane Sidr hit the entire coastal belt of Bangladesh on the night of Nov. 15, 2007 and it ravaged a very large part of Southern Bangladesh and some upland districts over a period of about 12 to 16 hours. I am presently concerned about the huge task of post-hurricane relief operations in the large affected areas. Assessment of loss of lives, property, crops, fishing and infrastructure is and will be continuing for some time. Total assessment may even take another couple of weeks. Meanwhile, the affected people are without any shelter -- they are passing their days and nights under the open sky. They do not have food, drinking water or medicine. The government and many other govt. and non-govt. organisations are doing their best to give succour to the affected people. Unfortunately, many places are still inaccessible and the far-flung char areas take long hours to reach them even if logistic support can be mobilised. The United Nations, many other world bodies like WFP and European Union, and many countries on their own are pledging monetary support with promises to offer more if needed. Cash support will be of great use at the time of rehabilitation and reconstruction of the infrastructure and re-starting of the production activities. To my mind, we need immediate supplies in material terms like food, clothing and even tents for temporary shelters of the shelter-less people. And they need to be dispatched to the large affected areas by the quickest possible means. I mean a large fleet of helicopters is urgently required for a successful relief operation. Our friendly countries may be approached for this material support. Secondly, to organise the relief operations systematically the government may consider posting of senior-level officers, at least of the level of Joint Secretary at three or four places like Barguna and Bagerhat for two months to organise, monitor and lead the relief operations on such a large scale. I remember Mr. Sultan-uz-Zaman Khan, the then Commissioner of Khulna Division, was posted for a month and a half at Barguna in 1991 to lead the relief operation after that year's Gorki. The officers concerned should have co-ordination responsibilities of the total activities of all other govt. and non-govt. organisations. The sooner the govt. considers organising such a field-level organisation, the better. The people should be reached as fast as possible with all necessary relief materials to avoid further post-hurricane disaster.
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