Haor people passing Ramadan in food crisis

While Muslims around the world are celebrating the holy Ramadan with great significance, most low income people of the flood-hit Haor areas of the district are passing the days in acute food crisis.

Surja Banu, a resident of Lalpur in Gourarang union of the Sadar upazila, said, their only option for seheri is paanta-bhaat (rice soaked in water) and chili, while they can only have bread with spinach for iftaar.

Like Surja Banu, other poor villagers, who lost their harvest due to this year’s early flashflood, are also facing the same situation.

Amena Khatun, a local said, most of the people here earn their bread by harvesting for six months and by fishing for the rest six months. But the flashflood left the villagers with no crop, no fish and no income. As a result, they are unable to buy food items during Ramadan.

Deputy Assistant Agriculture Officer of Sunamganj Sadar upazila agricultural extension department, Taslima Akter Lima said, the flood affected villagers are only receiving rice as aid from the government and for this; they are passing the days of holy Ramadan with great sufferings.

If the non-government organisations could have provided oil, chickpeas to them to prepare iftaar items, it would be a great kind to them, she added.

Chairman of Gaurarang union, Phul Mia said, the relief provided by the government is not adequate and as a result, all the affected people are not getting it.

“If the government doubles the number of VGF, VGD cards and introduce food-friendly programmes, then the Haor people might find some comfort,” he opined.

Earlier this year, the flash floods in Sunamganj submerged 1.5 lakh hectares of Boro paddy destroying crops worth around Tk3,000 crore.

Source: unb