Flood stricken, truly

. PHOTO: AFP

But floods will visit us again and again and cause extreme sufferings.

As a citizen, I hope the eastern bypass will be constructed as soon as possible. Our government should take immediate measures to repair the roads damaged by floods.

Floodwater is yet to recede and the fear of another deluge is looming in the horizon. And, the agencies are out in the field to assess the damage, arrive at ballpark figures on aid to be sought or provided. Such cynicism may however be put aside to be resorted to during normal times - the role of these agencies to reach out to the distressed people is real. I would like to draw attention to several issues that could be addressed for ensuring better resource allocations.

First, there is a need to educate the 'initiators' within both civil and the 'non-civil' societies. These initiators, whether small organisations, welfare societies, individuals, or agencies on the lookout for donor assistance, are currently engaged in various initiatives to remedy the post-flood ailments in health, sanitation, infrastructure and other areas. It is quite possible that resources may get wasted due to mere lack of knowledge. For example, we may like to do patch works on the roads in our neighbourhood. Clear guidelines on such works under alternative road structures may help a lot. The suggestion applies to other fields as well. Thus, rather than monopolising all post-flood rehabilitation initiatives within the government or 'non-civil' societies, the role of the government may be meaningfully exemplified through mass campaigning on these fronts.

Second, the flood reminded us once more that lack of timely public investment may lead to a situation of private coping strategies which may cost more than the required public investment. People erected mini dams around their compounds to protect their own safe heavens, and in the process, a lot more sediments went back to the lakes and water bodies around us. Should we do the same when the next flood comes? Are there suggestions on the micro technology of erecting such dams with minimum environmental adversaries? Will the government seek ways to finance public investments with resources drawn from property owners in cities, which will be protected by those investments?

Third, demonising of diarrhoea by traders calls for immediate attention. The current shortage in the supply of packaged oral saline has allured many traders to resort to stocking, aggravating the crisis, and the increase in price has encouraged others to market low quality (or, inappropriate) products and fool the desperate consumers. Is there any way to negotiate with reliable producers so that they are encouraged to increase their production and supply of oral saline and their revenue is assured?

Sajjad Zohir, Member, Gulshan Society