Editorial
Providing relief in flood-hit regions
Government should make it an all-inclusive effort
The worsening state of floods in the country clearly calls for an intensification of relief efforts. While the government machinery has been trying to handle the situation, it is fairly obvious that the involvement of the wider community has now become necessary in order for succour to reach as many people as possible in the flood-hit areas. Let there be no mistake: the floods will increase before they begin to show any sign of receding. That being the situation, the conditions of those affected can only be imagined. More to the point, the limited resources of the government do not permit relief measures to reach everyone who has become a victim of the floods. Hence the matter of community participation in the provision of assistance to those hit by the rushing waters. It has to be borne in mind that the government, not being a political one, needs the assistance of everyone who can complement its own effort toward relief. Its capacity to mobilise the nation is understandably limited, which is why it becomes necessary that political forces and especially NGOs come forth to play a definitive role in an amelioration of the existing difficulties. We are of course heartened by the fact that the army has been on the ground in aid of the civil administration, but the fact that the army chief of staff himself has noted that the authorities cannot do the job alone is an indication of how much more needs to be done, and on a wider dimension. We at this newspaper feel that it is one of those times when the united efforts of all are needed to combat the danger. The entire nation must be galvanised in order to save itself. The government can take the lead in this regard through giving out unambiguous signals that everyone, including political leaders and workers, is welcome to undertake relief efforts. When the question is one of life and death for millions, such an approach to the issue will surely make a difference in the current situation. The government ought to reach out to the established networks that bodies such as NGOs have in place. In the overall sense, it will be quite logical to think that a combination of efforts by the government, political forces and NGOs could throw up a national coordination body, the better to beat the menace now threatening Bangladesh.
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