The recent floods, which have been among the worst in a decade, have affected over 1.5 million people, and at one point had submerged around one-third of the country under water.
The poor in the worst-hit areas have been affected in ways most of us cannot imagine: From losing their lives to losing their livelihoods, hundreds of thousands of people are now suffering, and it is our solemn duty to ensure that they are taken care of and their suffering is reduced.
This is a crisis of the highest order and we must ensure that food, aid, and other sorts of relief reach the ones affected as quickly as possible and that their suffering is not extended any further.
For this to be successful, effective coordination between the Disaster Management and Relief and Ministry and local governments and institutions is essential. This is the only way to ensure maximum efficiency in providing aid, so that the most number of people are reached in the shortest amount of time.
We must also remain vigilant against instances of corruption, which in cases such as this serve as an abhorrent reminder of how low some people can stoop, stealing from the poor and the needy during times of personal and financial crisis.
Keeping this in mind, and the pandemic which has already devastated many lives, especially in rural areas, we urge the authorities to prioritize the wellbeing of the ones affected due to the floods and take care of them to the fullest.
