Dealing with Natural Disasters: Govt efforts lack transparency

A research by Transparency International Bangladesh has found that there was a huge lack of transparency and accountability on the part of the government in dealing with the recent natural disasters, including Cyclone Amphan.

The graft watchdog released the report on the research at a virtual press conference yesterday.

The work on data collection, analysis and report preparation for this research was done between May 18 and December 23 to review the progress and challenges in ensuring good governance in dealing with the recent disasters.

The TIB study report titled "Challenges facing good governance in disaster management and ways to overcome those: Recent experiences, including Amphan" found that lower allocations were made to the worst affected districts due to political considerations.

There was a lack of ability, participation and coordination in fighting the disasters. Shelters were used for personal purposes and there were examples of abuse of political power in relief distribution, it added.

According to the TIB, the estimated damage to agriculture in the first year after Cyclone Amphan was about Tk 2,035 crore in the coastal districts alone. Besides, there is a risk of about 61,602 hectares of land being left unused for the next two to three years due to long-term loss of land as the long-term damage of land was not taken into consideration.

The study found that irregularities and corruption were committed in the construction of disaster-tolerant dams, roads, and shelters. Besides, use of political power and personal interests were given priority for the construction of shelters and dams.

Regarding transparency, the study said hotline numbers were not circulated among the affected people and disaster forecast information and warning messages were not sent to some remote areas.

About lack of accountability, the graft watchdog said a dam in Satkhira's Asashuni upazila was yet to be repaired six months after Ampan, leaving about 20,000 people homeless.

There was also a lack of effective initiatives to conduct disaster drills, proper assessment of relief needs and identify and evacuate those people at risk, the study found.

Speaking at the press conference, TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said although Bangladesh has a good reputation for disaster management and some countries are following its model, there is still room for improvement.

"Because of the growing natural disasters and the existing lack of good governance, we still lose about 2.2 percent of our national income a year. This huge loss of national income can be reduced if the deficits in this regard can be eliminated," he added.

The TIB made 12 recommendations to deal with disasters. The recommendations include updating the existing disaster warning system and conducting campaigns among the people in an understandable language.

It also suggested delivering timely forecasts and warnings with more importance in the high-risk areas and carrying out relief and rehabilitation programmes with transparency giving priority to the most vulnerable families and areas.