Flood situation of Bangladesh: 2007
Letter from Corr - The Juteworks Director Michael Gomes.

We presume that through media you are already informed on the present catastrophe we are going through. In late summer, Bangladesh suffered from one of the most horrible monsoon flooding on record. The heavy rains, which had been continuing intermittently since June, submerged more than sixty percent of the country’s 64 districts. A total of 9.1 million people were affected in 39 districts. In the country as a whole, at least 164 people lost their lives, according to government sources. 75 flood control embankments across the country have been damaged by raging floodwaters so far, contributing to the worsening flood situation. Flood destroyed about 90 km of the embankment completely and 308 km partially. With water still flowing above the danger level in 20 rivers, the overall flood situation is deteriorating further.

"While we painfully see the human sufferings we also notice with pride and joy the strength of our poor communities to cope with disaster situations. The resilience of Bangladesh people in withstanding the devastation is perhaps the best inspiration"

Crops on nearly 2 million acres of land were completely damaged by flood. The flood damaged to agriculture is worth over Tk. 200 million and food deficit will be about 1 million tons.

Water borne diseases are spreading fast. Acute crisis of drinking water is prevailing in the flood affected areas. Millions of people marooned by severe floods face a looming health crisis unless they receive clean water supplies within days. All the tube-wells in the flood area went under polluted water. The contaminated waters caused an outbreak of diarrhoea and dysentery. Children, who make up 40% of flood victims, are particularly susceptible. Almost all families living in the flooded areas have at least one or two of its members infected with diarrhoea or other water borne diseases. About 11,331 people have fallen victim to diarrhoea across the country since July 30.

Academic activities in over 7,000 education institutions in 39 districts have been seriously disrupted due to flood. A large number of these institutions have been submerged while others are being used as shelters for flood affected people. OF the 1,412 flood shelters opened by the government, most are being opening in educational institutions.

A major part of our artisans are based in the central part of the country, thus many of them are severely affected in this catastrophe. According to the primary information many of our artisan groups in Chandpur, Gazipur, Natore, Palashbari, Shariatpur, Gopalogonj and Barisal have been affected though we are yet to get the details of the damage. Many of them have left their homes and taken shelter in schools and in shelters. We are worried equally about the endemic of diarrhoea and other water borne diseases, which takes a server turn with the recession of flood water.

We are keeping in constant touch with our affected artisan members and will take the stock of the situation gradually. While we painfully see the human sufferings we also notice with pride and joy the strength of our poor communities to cope with disaster situations. The resilience of Bangladesh people in withstanding the devastation is perhaps the best inspiration.

We all have our responsibility to stand by our people and we are committed to do so. With this update we assure our valued partners that we will not request you relief or aid. What we require for our artisans is an opportunity for work. We therefore request you to do your best to stand by our distressed people – not with money or any material, but with production works so that they can cover the situation quickly. CJW appreciatively acknowledges the support it has had from you in the past especially in alleviating the socio-economic condition of our artisans. We are optimistic that you will try your best in providing job opportunities to the affected women artisans through placement of additional orders in future to overcome their present plight. As you know many of our underprivileged women artisans could make addition in their family income through your marketing of their crafts and thus fulfil some of their basic needs like education of children, health care etc.

Though there is no way to stop flooding, it is certainly possible to minimise the sufferings of people with timely and effective salvage operation. The losses can also be kept at a minimum through solidarity and integrated rehabilitation operation.

May we seek for your proclamation of unity and solidarity to the nightmare?

Michael B Gomes
Director, CJW.