The initial shock of the devastating floods in Noakhali, Feni, and Comilla has begun to subside as swift efforts to manage the crisis take hold.
News of the disaster on Wednesday spurred an outpouring of support, with people from all corners of the country mobilizing to save lives and offer aid. Many were unaware of the severity of the water and weather conditions.
People stranded in remote areas, clinging to whatever structures remained, could barely communicate that they were still alive.
Their family members abroad pleaded through video messages, crying and asking for their loved ones to be saved, providing addresses, phone numbers, and area descriptions on Facebook. Several people were rescued based on this information.
Despite consecutive days of continuous rain and flooding, most people have been rescued and taken to shelters.
Now, after the initial rescue efforts, the challenge of relief distribution begins. In any disaster situation, the enthusiasm of the youth to step forward is always significant.
This time, in the absence of party-affiliated student groups, their efforts have taken a different form.
People have rushed to help flood-affected individuals from wherever they could. Some have stayed home, collecting funds.
There has been a collective sentiment to stand by the affected.
Simultaneously, on Friday, Chief Advisor Dr Muhammad Yunus has given instructions on how to contribute to the relief fund.
Like many other organizations, members of the army and navy have donated one day’s salary to the Chief Advisor’s relief fund to help the flood victims.
Additionally, members of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have announced that they will also donate one day’s salary to support the flood victims.
This financial assistance is being provided to aid those affected by the ongoing severe floods in Feni, Chittagong, Comilla, Noakhali, Sunamganj, and Habiganj.
Youth and Sports Adviser Ashif Mahmud has taken various initiatives within his ministry, including donating one month’s salary.
Meanwhile, BNP Joint Secretary General Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie said: “Rushing to the aid of those distressed by the floods is currently the primary task of the BNP.”
Experts in disaster management say that the initial challenge is conducting rescue operations.
The people of the eastern region are not familiar with floods, so they had no experience in protecting themselves. When water is released from the Teesta River, people in Rangpur have learned over the years how to protect themselves.
Now, long-term relief will be needed for them, and a coordinated plan for its distribution is essential.
Everyone wants to help from their respective positions, but without a coordinated distribution plan, some areas may receive more aid while others may remain deprived.
Activist Shifat Bintee Wahid went to Burichong from Dhaka to stand by the people. Friends are sending aid through her.
When asked about her experience, she said: “The water is still rising. The current is so strong that if one person doesn’t hold another’s hand, they’ll be swept away. People are unwilling to go to shelters unless the water reaches their necks. They don’t want to leave their homes. As a result, rescue efforts are hindered if the water rises too much.”
When asked about the state of relief in the area, she said: “There is a lot of food coming, but there is a lack of planning. The large number of enthusiastic people creates a risk of chaos, which the organizers must prevent.”
She added that after arriving on her own, she contacted anti-discrimination students in Comilla.
After hearing their needs, safety jackets, torches, medicines, and dry food were arranged. The Rotary Club is also working with them.
The principal of the Government Model College is coordinating food arrangements for those brought to the shelters.
When asked if she had seen any government initiative, she replied: “I saw students from various schools and colleges and members of the Red Crescent, but I haven’t seen any police or fire service personnel here.”
Anti-discrimination student activists and general students are collecting relief for the flood-affected areas.
A massive relief effort is underway at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) of Dhaka University.
A “Public Relief Collection” booth has been set up near the entrance, where people from various parts of Dhaka are donating various types of relief. These will be sent to the flood-affected areas.
When asked what a coordinated plan for relief distribution could look like in such a large disaster, disaster management expert Nayeem Gowhar Warha said: “At this time, rescuing and bringing people to shelters is crucial. We must send the message that there is no need to come from Dhaka. How will it work if everyone wants to distribute relief personally?”
He said that the government must take action now. It must be determined who will carry out the work at the upazila and union levels.
There is a disaster management committee within the union structure. That structure needs to be utilized by involving the youth; otherwise, it will be difficult to manage such a large disaster, he added.