Disease and hunger in Thanchi

It is distressing news that thousands of people in Thanchi, a remote hilly upazilla of Bandarban, are facing an acute food crisis exacerbated by the onslaught of malaria. Brac, which has been working in that area has helped to reveal this humanitarian crisis that must be addressed immediately.

The number of affected is around 20, 000, with children being the most vulnerable, according to Brac officials and the food crisis was mainly as a result of a cyclone last July that prevented farmers from jhum cultivation and storing the harvest. High transport costs and poor communications prevented them from selling seasonal crops to the market, worsening the situation. Many people have ventured deep into the forest in search of food and contracted malaria, making them weaker and even less able to find sustenance.

We are appalled that this crisis, which has built up over the year, has been allowed to continue. Clearly enough has not been done. Although the government has sent supplies of rice to be distributed, only those with NID cards are eligible for this relief; many of the people in Thanchi do not have such cards.

The government must therefore take immediate steps to provide food, medicine and treatment of Malaria to these people who are living in famine-like conditions. At the same time it must devise a long-term strategy to prevent further food shortages and outbreaks of the disease. Helping the people to market their crops, providing alternative income generating opportunities, addressing malnutrition and providing NID cards to inhabitants, all have to be incorporated in the efforts to make sure that people of these areas are not afflicted by hunger and disease in the future.