Food crisis in Sajek valley

People in different villages of the remote Sajek union under Baghaichhari upazila of Rangamati have been suffering from a major food crisis for the last two to three months. In the midst of this crisis, falling bamboo price which is a major source of income for many inhabitants, poor road connection and a rise in the price of rice have only worsened things for them.

The situation has apparently gotten so bad that without urgent government intervention there is a great chance of people starving to death according to the chairman of Baghaichhari Upazila Parishad. Local representatives claimed that they have already written to their higher authorities in the administration requesting assistance but the government is yet to send sufficient aid for people in different villages.

The acting deputy commissioner of Rangamati said that his administration has already allocated five tonnes of rice for the affected area which were distributed among the people a week ago. This is, however, inconsistent with the claims made by local representatives who have said that they are still expecting the five tonnes of rice allocated for the disaster-hit people.

What is the reason for these contradictory narratives? The authorities must immediately get to the bottom of this. Moreover, assistance for the suffering people should be dispatched by the authorities on an immediate basis. And, given the gravity of the situation, the government should also, if necessary, involve the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry in aid distribution to ensure that any loss of life is prevented.