Scaling up relief efforts in remote areas

Floodwaters have started receding in Sylhet and Sunamganj. But thousands of people are still struggling to get food and water.

Many of those who have taken shelter in the relief camps are reportedly now unable to return home due to the floods. People in many villages are still stranded without access to relief. A man in Sylhet died recently after being injured while jostling for airdropped relief materials.

Many new areas of the country's northern and northeastern districts are inundated every day. The cry for relief is intensifying in those areas. In some remote areas, many are reported to have not yet received any relief supplies even though the local administrations, armed forces and many voluntary groups are distributing relief materials. Thousands of people are still waiting for food and drinking water. Out of desperation, some are drinking floodwater.

Reaching in remote areas with sufficient relief is the need of the hour now for the authorities concerned. Besides food, they must also provide safe drinking water and water purifying tablets, and must send medical teams in affected areas. Along with the government agencies, volunteer organisations should also come forward and try to reach out the remote areas.

Samia Jahan Shefa, Rajbari,

jahan0.7samia@gmail.com