Photo: Messenger
Once again, the rivers of Bangladesh have risen to claim what we hold dear. This year, the floods have turned their unforgiving gaze toward Feni, Cumilla, and around 12 districts of the eastern, southern parts of Bangladesh got seriously affected by the biggest flood in the recent past. Which ultimately submerged fields, homes, and dreams beneath their murky waters. The floods are believed to have intensified as India suddenly opened the dams late at night without any prior guidance. The swollen rivers have breached their banks, and the rain-soaked earth has surrendered, leaving behind a trail of devastation that has touched every facet of life. This flood is not just an act of nature; it is a stern reminder of our vulnerability, a reality check that despite all our progress, the forces of nature remain formidable.
But in the midst of this despair, the indomitable spirit of the Bangladeshi people shines through. We have weathered storms before, and we have always emerged stronger, more united. The task before us now is immense: to rehabilitate the thousands of lives upended by this catastrophe, to rebuild communities, and to ensure that when the waters recede, hope remains firmly anchored.
As the affected people are spending terribly inhumane lives due to the havoc. It's time to take immediate measures to rehabilitate the people in the most effective way. The relief operations are still going on there, but the good thing is the flood situation is improving gradually. So, measures should be taken as quickly as possible to rehabilitate these people.
Here some rehabilitation steps are being included to follow:
Immediate Response:
As the floodwaters surged, so too did the urgency of relief efforts. The immediate focus has been on saving lives and providing essential supplies—food, clean water, medicine, and temporary shelter. In areas like Feni and Cumilla and others, where roads have turned to rivers, helicopters and boats have become lifelines, ferrying supplies to those stranded in isolated pockets.
But this is just the beginning. Relief operations must be sustained and expanded. The government, along with NGOs and international partners, must continue to reach every corner of the affected regions, ensuring that no one is left without the basics needed for survival. The challenge is not just in delivering aid but in doing so swiftly and equitably, particularly to the most vulnerable—children, the elderly, and those with disabilities.
Damage Assessment:
To rebuild, we must first understand what has been lost. Detailed assessments of the damage are critical. In Feni, Cumilla, and other affected areas, teams of engineers, social workers, and local authorities need to work together to survey the extent of the destruction. This includes not just physical infrastructure but also the psychological toll on communities—families torn apart; livelihoods erased in an instant.
The assessments should be comprehensive, encompassing everything from damaged roads and bridges to destroyed crops and fisheries, from waterlogged schools to clinics that can no longer function.
Rebuilding Livelihoods:
In a country where agriculture is the backbone of rural life, the destruction of crops by floodwaters is a blow that resonates far beyond the fields. For farmers in Cumilla, whose paddy fields have been reduced to muddy wastelands, the road to recovery begins with the simple act of replanting. But they cannot do this alone. They need seeds, tools, and, crucially, financial support to get back on their feet.
The same is true for the fishing communities of Feni, where boats have been swept away and fish farms have been devastated. These livelihoods must be restored quickly, not just to feed families but to sustain local economies. Microloans, grants, and vocational training programs can provide the support needed to rebuild while also encouraging diversification.
Infrastructure Rehabilitation:
The floodwaters have laid waste to much of the infrastructure that knits these communities together—roads, bridges, schools, and hospitals. Rebuilding these structures is not just a matter of replacing what was lost; it is an opportunity to build back better. The new infrastructure must be designed with resilience in mind, capable of withstanding future floods and other climate-related challenges.
This means raising the elevation of key roads and bridges, constructing flood-resistant buildings, and upgrading drainage systems to cope with extreme rainfall. Schools and healthcare facilities should be prioritised, ensuring that education and health services can continue even in the face of future disasters.
Enhancing community resilience:
Rehabilitation is not just about repairing the damage; it’s about preparing for the next disaster. Bangladesh’s history is a testament to the cyclical nature of floods. We know they will come again, and our efforts today must reflect that inevitability. Strengthening community resilience is key to breaking this cycle of destruction and rebuilding.
This involves a multi-faceted approach. First, we must educate communities about disaster preparedness, ensuring that everyone knows what to do before, during, and after a flood. This includes training in evacuation procedures, first aid, and emergency response. Second, we need to improve early warning systems, so that people have more time to protect their families and belongings.
Inclusive Rehabilitation:
For rehabilitation to be successful, it must be inclusive. This means recognising that different groups within the community have different needs and vulnerabilities. Women, for example, often bear the brunt of disasters, both in terms of physical safety and economic impact. They must be included in decision-making processes and given access to resources that will help them recover.
Similarly, we must pay attention to the needs of marginalised groups—ethnic minorities, the landless, and those living in extreme poverty. These communities are often overlooked in disaster recovery efforts, yet they are the ones who suffer the most. Rehabilitation programs must be designed to reach them, with targeted support that addresses their specific challenges.
International Support and Collaboration:
The scale of the disaster in Feni, Cumilla, and beyond demands not just national, but international action. Bangladesh cannot do this alone. We need the support of the global community—through financial aid, technical expertise, and the sharing of best practices. International organisations and donor countries have a crucial role to play in funding the reconstruction of infrastructure, supporting livelihood restoration, and enhancing disaster resilience.
Collaboration with neighbouring countries is also essential. Floods do not respect borders, and regional cooperation on issues like river management, early warning systems, and climate adaptation can make a significant difference in reducing the impact of future floods.
Conclusion: Turning Tragedy into Triumph
The floods that have ravaged Feni, Cumilla, and other parts of Bangladesh are a stark reminder of our vulnerability in the face of nature. But they are also an opportunity—an opportunity to rebuild stronger, to prepare better, and to ensure that our communities are more resilient than ever before. The road to recovery is long and challenging, but with collective action, innovative thinking, and a commitment to inclusivity, we can turn this tragedy into a triumph.
As we work to rehabilitate the flood-affected people of Bangladesh, let us remember that this is not just about restoring what was lost. It is about creating a future where every community is prepared to face the challenges of tomorrow, where no one is left behind, and where the resilience of our people is matched only by our determination to build a better, brighter future.
The writer is a poet, columnist and journalist. He can be reached at [email protected].
Messenger/Disha
