The New Nation - Internet Edition

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) organised a seminar the other day. Chairman of TIB, Professor Muzzafar Ahmed who presided over it informed the participants that his organisation has been scrutinising the aid distribution to victims of cyclone Sidr. TIB’s scrutiny so far has reportedly led to finding out considerable instances of lack of enthusiasm and insufficient monitoring of the distribution of relief and rehabilitation materials among the storm afflicted people. The storm had devastated 15 districts in the southern parts of the country. The latest World Bank estimate says that losses in the neighbourhood of 21 thousand crore Taka was suffered by the regional economy as a consequence. Overcoming the effects of the cyclone and resuming normal life, specially gainful economic activities, are very dire challenges for the people of those areas. But the TIB seminar complained that neatly planned and implemented action programmes are not being noted for this.

The relief and rehabilitation programmes are not going well in the southern districts, according to the TIB which has reportedly found evidences of favouritism and inefficiency in the distribution of relief materials and rehabilitation activities. In some areas, allegedly, the distribution process is plagued by corruption of chairmen and members of the local bodies. These persons are also accused of distribution of relief materials on the basis of political loyalties of the recipients. It is not that government has been not prompt in allocating resources to mitigate sufferings and facilitate renewal of traditional vocations in the affected areas. But in many cases, members of local bodies in charge of the operation are resorting to the familiar misdeeds of the past such as giving only a part of the money to the cyclone victims while pocketing the rest. In other cases they are giving this money only to their favoured ones while denying the same to other storm victims with whom they have political or other differences. The ones who show signs of protesting such crimes are threatened that they would get nothing if they attempt to report these things to high ups in the administration. Similar misappropriation of resources and corruption are alleged in the distribution of cash also among fishermen, boatmen and handloom operators to help them resume their vocations.

Allegations such as these and voiced by TIB, indeed, call for a swift response from the government. Particularly, such complaints are very odd. From the highest level of the government , more focussed attention will have to be given to these issues. It must be ensured that none is bypassed while relief and rehabilitation measures are implemented, all victims of Sidr are aided as nearly adequately as possible. The same is supremely required for economic recovery of not only the affected region but also the national economy as a whole.