Floods test B’desh army-backed rulers

BANGLADESH: Bangladesh’s seven-month-old military-backed government is facing its toughest test yet, with millions of people displaced and the economy badly damaged by the worst floods to hit the country in a decade.

Nearly two weeks of flooding has killed hundreds and destroyed crops and infrastructure worth hundreds of millions of dollars, forcing Bangladesh’s rulers to turn to the country’s besieged political parties and the wealthy for help.

“No doubt, the government is facing the toughest test in its short life. Some 40 percent of the land is still under water and monsoon is a long way to go,” said Bangladesh flood expert Ainun Nishat.

“Millions of farmers did not have a good crop in the dry season. Now if the flood prolongs or returns with a new wave later this month, a grim future is awaiting them.” The interim government, headed by former central bank governor Fakhruddin Ahmed, came to power in January after months of violence in which at least 35 people died.

Many of Bangladesh’s former leaders are now behind bars after a concerted campaign to clean up its notoriously corrupt political system. But with millions of farmers facing bleak prospects, the government has turned to the political parties for help in dealing with the flood crisis.

“The immediate task of the government is to provide emergency survival relief. And to do that it needs help from every group. Previously, it proved to be a crucial factor,” said Saidur Rahman, director of the government Disaster Preparedness Center.

Economist Atiar Rahman said the government could benefit from the experience of former political leaders in distributing aid. “So far, the amount of food relief that the government provided is not adequate. And the government is in a vulnerable position,” he said.

“But if it utilises the experience of previous floods, like the deluge in 1998, I am sure the government can tackle the crisis well.”

Dhaka, Tuesday, AFP