It is time we had a long-term solution for this constant woe
Another monsoon, another disaster, where hundreds of thousands of people have fallen victim to floods. While this newspaper has editorialized time and time again about the necessary steps that need to be taken to prevent floods, the ship has sailed this time. The priority for the government now should be to take steps to help the victims, alongside minimizing casualties and loss.
The affected regions are Jamalpur, Tangail, and Faridpur. Over 100,000 people in 36 unions have been marooned in Jamalpur alone. To help them, 35 tons of rice and TK 2,700,000 have been allotted for each upazilla.
But just allotting these resources is not enough. They have to actually go to the victims of the floods. From numerous reports of resources for relief vanishing, to stories of resources going to the houses of local politicians, to reports indicating that government employees hoarded relief meant for the families hit the hardest during the pandemic, it is evident that government bodies and government employees do not have the best track record when it comes to relief operations.
To counter that, these local administrators have to properly make a list of victims by using the latest in database technology. This database has to be maintained by independent auditors and project managers so that they can make sure that the project is being carried out in a proper and efficient way.
The government also has to oversee the projects closely to make sure that there is no corruption, and that everyone taking part in the project is held accountable. If corruption is found, proper steps have to be taken so that people retain faith in the relief efforts.
Most importantly, the government has to prepare for the next flood, and take steps to tackle it. We have to face the obvious fact: Flooding is an annual problem, and it is time we had a long-term solution for this constant woe.
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