EDITORIAL
After Aila, Sidr, Mahasen looms
Preparedness on test again
THE approaching cyclone has served an advance notice by some six days to all concerned. So, there should not have been any excuse for lapses in the preparedness to face the eventuality.
The preparations undertaken by authorities in 13 coastal districts included continuously relaying warning messages, keeping at the ready over 49 thousand trained volunteers in coastal districts and making use of 3,770 shelters. The shortfall in the number of shelters by about one and a half thousand was aimed to be met by using primary schools for the purpose. Numerically, they may fall short of requirement.
Medical response teams—one in every union, two in every upazila and five in every district headquarters along the coastal belts—that have been readied for emergency relief operations would need to be reinforced.
If experiences of Aila and Sidr are any guide, then there would be four problem areas: (1) Timely evacuation; some being reluctant to leave their hearths and homes, would need to be strongly persuaded to move to safety. (2) All the water sources going saline, potable water should be made available in sufficient quantities; (3) Gratuitous relief sometimes elude the most needy, this needs plugging the administrative holes; and (4) Post-disaster management should have been thought through and all the elements including tools of rehabilitation handed to the affected.
Community involvement and participation are key to disaster management, something that must not be lost on us.
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