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'Even if we cannot move our house, information will save our lives'

Pays
Bangladesh
Sources
CDAC
Date de publication
Origine
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Tropical storm Roanu made landfall in the southern coastal region of Bangladesh on 21 May 2016. Yasmin Begum and her family live near Chittagong city in a place called Laldiarchar. They have sought refuge in the nearby cyclone shelter at least eight times over the past decade.

This year, Cyclone Roanu caught them unawares, damaging their house and killing their hens and chickens. “We prepared to go to the nearby cyclone shelter when we saw the water level rising. In the past, there was publicity on the road whenever the (cyclone) signal was 6, 7 or 8. The commissioner’s office informed people by megaphone. It was useful for us. Everyone here has TV and whenever something happens we see it on TV. But power outage is also common in our area.” This means residents may be unaware of a threat when there is no power.

Over the years, cyclones and tidal waves have contaminated all the sources of surface water in Laldiarchar. Several years ago, the local government installed a tube well. This was funded by the community, but its water has turned red. Yasmin says they use the water now only for bathing. “No one has come to check on the tube well. Our skin itches but we have to use it. We collect drinking water from a nearby mosque by paying Tk 200 every month.” Yasmin remembers that World Vision used to visit the community to discuss with women about nutrition. “They told us not to drink saline water from the pond and that we should boil water before using it. I have accepted my fate. Cyclones and floods cannot be controlled. No one knows where water will run off. But if we get the news at least, we will be more aware. Even if we cannot move our house, information will save our lives.”

(Journalist Onchita Shadman spoke to people affected by the cyclone for the CDAC Network as part of the UK funded Disasters and Emergencies Preparedness Programme. This works to develop effective response where it is needed most, and aims at a major improvement in the way countries cope with populations caught up in a disaster or conflict. This ground breaking programme, one of the largest investments of its kind, is managed collaboratively by the CDAC and Start Networks. Between them they leverage the expertise of more than 50 member organisations).