|
|
Society
Bangladesh : What a
Disaster
 Hazrat Ali came
to Dhaka in 2003, travelling atop a bus to escape the famine which had
gripped eight northern districts of Bangladesh. Today, he survives in the
city by pulling a rickshaw. Even after nearly eight months in Dhaka, Ali
gets confused about places in the city. Often, he apologetically requests
his passengers to show him the way. Even when the passengers don't pay the
appropriate fare, he doesn't complain. He's grateful the city is at least
feeding him.
Many landless farmers in Bangladesh come to Dhaka after a flood or a
famine hits their villages. They work as daily-wage laborers, rickshaw
pullers, masons and vegetable vendors. They settle down in dirty slums
where they become susceptible to many diseases.
Two-thirds of Bangladesh's 130 million people live below the poverty line,
according to the UN. Six million households are considered 'ultra poor' -
they suffer from chronic food insecurity and severe malnutrition. On an
average, they can afford to consume only about 1,800 calories daily, which
is far below the recommended daily average of 2,300 calories.
According to the Bangladesh Economic Review of June 2004, the incidence of
poverty is as high as 39.9 per cent among the farming and fishing
communities.
Bangladesh is subject to recurrent emergencies/ natural disasters that
often deprive the poor segments of the population of whatever few physical
assets they have. Every natural disaster brings more people to cities like
Dhaka. Although many like Ali want to go back to their villages, they
cannot do so because of the famine-like conditions present there.
Despite recurring floods, cyclones and other natural disasters, the
Bangladesh government still does not have a comprehensive welfare policy
or a disaster management plan. Natural calamities continue to destabilize
and displace thousands and cause a severe food crisis in the villages.
Although the constitution of Bangladesh recognizes the citizens' right to
social security and support from the government during unemployment,
sickness, disability, widowhood, old age and other circumstances beyond
control (Article 15), the government is yet to initiate any remarkable and
effective program for the welfare of the people.
Even the Disaster Management Legislation (Act) is still under
consideration by the government. The act is aimed at establishing
machinery through the State, local government and public corporations,
clarifying the responsibilities and providing disaster management plans
and policies related to preparedness and emergency measures. It would also
provide rehabilitation programmes to deal with disasters.
At present, during an emergency, the government provides some kind of
relief measures. In some cases, it also provides (along with the support
of international NGOs) safety net programmes to help households manage
risks and overcome short-term poverty. According to Professor Rehman
Sobhan, economist and Chairperson of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD),
Dhaka, "A safety net program is meant to help poor people who are affected
by the outcome of government policies like, market forces, natural
calamities, or ill-health in the family."
In Bangladesh, safety net programmes like the Vulnerable Group Development
(VGD) program reach approximately 500,000 people. VGD is the United
Nations World Food Program's largest development intervention in the
world. The VGD program played a very effective role during the floods of
1998, providing entitlements to the victims and averted hunger deaths.
However, recently, there have allegations of rampant corruption in the VGD
program.
But experts say a safety net program is no substitute for a comprehensive
welfare policy. In fact, a good welfare policy will ensure in the long run
that there is no need to provide safety net programmes for the poor.
– Ekram Kabir
September 12, 2004
By arrangement with
Womens Feature Service
Top
| Society
|
|
