Flood-hit Hakaluki Haor people in sorry state

Flood affected people in Juri, Kulaura and Barlekha upazilas in Hakaluki Haor areas of the district are worried due to suspension of open market sale (OMS) of rice and vulnerable group feeding (VGF) programmes ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.

According to Moulvibazar's district administration, Department of Agriculture and District Food Controller's office, last April's flood in different areas of three upazilas destroyed all the Boro paddy in Hakaluki Haor. Then Aus paddy in vast areas was damaged due to recurring floods that now hampers the cultivation of transplanted Aman.

The Department of Food started OMS through the dealers in three upazilas in the first week of May, facilitating one to buy up to 5 kg of rice at Tk 15 per kg in a day. But the programme in the areas stopped on July 1. 

On August 6, the Department of Disaster Management issued an order to suspend the food allocation under VGF for flood affected people. Under this programme, 10 kg of food grains had been allocated for each beneficiary.

“We are facing crisis due to stoppage of VGF and OMS programmes as our Boro and Aus paddies were damaged,” said farmer Nasir Uddin, head of a five-member family at Kadipur village under Kulaura upazila.

“After losing Boro crops, haor people got the opportunity to buy rice at cheap rates under OMS programme. But it stopped. Now the VGF has been closed, bringing added sufferings to people,” said Azizur Rahman, chairman of Bhuksimul Union Parishad in Kulaura upazila of Moulvibazar.

Hazi Alauddin, general secretary of 'Haor Bachao, Krishak Bachao Andolon,' has urged the authorities concerned to resume OMS and VGF programmes for the poor and flood affected farmers of haor areas.

“In view of the situation in the district, we sent a letter to the higher authorities, requesting restoration of the OMS programme but to no response yet,” said Manoj Kanti Das Chowdhury, food controller (acting) of Moulvibazar.

Tofail Islam, deputy commissioner of Moulvibazar, said he will request the authorities concerned again to resume OMS and VGF programmes.