It's all about survival

For villagers in haor areas under Sunamganj district, boro cultivation is not just about harvesting.

It is about hope. Hope for a better yield and most importantly, a better life.

During harvest, the villages -- with farmers cutting crops in the vast paddy fields and people gathering around -- put on a celebratory mood.

Afterwards, farmers take their crops to the markets for selling. And, with the money, they stock up on essentials, especially ahead of Ramadan.

But this year, it is not the same for the villagers.

Early flash floods, triggered by incessant rain and onrush of water from rivers upstream, have flooded vast areas of farmland in haor areas under Sunamganj district, leaving farmers with no chance to harvest their crops.

In addition, death of fish, ducks and livestock left around 3.25 lakh families struggling to make ends meet.

“All my crops are destroyed. I'm struggling to feed my six-member family.” said Monsur Mia, a farmer of Anandanagar village at Tahirpur upazila under Tanguar haor.

Meanwhile, Ali Hossain of Nischintapur village, said, “Out of 210, 150 of my ducks died last month. I can't even buy food for my family.”

“For us, it's about survival now,” said the 45-year-old.

Enamul Haque, a farmer of Saraswatipur village under Goromar haor in Dharampasha upazila, also said their food crisis is deepening day by day. “I was left with no other option but to sell some of my cattle at a lower price for feeding my family.”

Though the government is giving 30 kilogrammes of rice and Tk 500 per month to 1,68,000 flood-affected families in Sunamganj through its VGF (Vulnerable Group Feeding) programme, many alleged that they were yet to get any aid.

PC Das, president of Shalla Press Club, claimed that villagers in Satpara, Shreehail and Manua of Shalla union are not getting relief materials since the areas are situated in remote locations.

“It's the same in Rahutola, Mirzapur, Sonakhani, Habibpur, Putka, Kolapara, Ahsanpur and Noagaon under Atgaon union,” he added.

Amit Dev, a resident of Jagannathpur upazila under Naluar haor, echoed him.

Also, many residents of Derai upazila alleged that some NGOs are more interested in media coverage rather than distributing aid.

They are not going to remote villages. Relief materials are not reaching Charanarchar, Rafinagar, Tarol and Jagadal unions in the upazila, they alleged.

Bindu Talukdar, member secretary of Haor Bachao Sunamganj Bachao Andolan, alleged that more than half of the flood-affected farmers in Sunamganj were not getting any aid.

“Also, there were allegations of widespread irregularities in the relief distribution. This must be stopped,” he said.

Contacted, Mahbubur Rahman, relief and rehabilitation officer in Sunamganj, said, “Rice and cash are being provided as aid to the affected farmers through VGF cards in Sunamganj district.”

When mentioned about flood-affected people not getting any aid, he said, “We have already informed the authorities concerned regarding the issue.”

According to the district administration, out of 2,23,820 hectares of land where boro paddy was cultivated in 154 haor areas in Sunamganj, around 1,66,612 hectares of land were affected by flood.

Also, around 3,25,990 families in the district were affected by the flood, it added.