By Afreen Alam

News is pouring in of local effort to rescue and help flood affected people. THP staff, volunteers, animators and youth are working hard to ensure fair and disciplined distribution of the collected aid. THP staff Alamgir reported from Naseerabad union where THP is working with a local organization called Barogram Development Association in 5 villages. These villages are currently under 5 feet of water. No shelters have been set up and people are trapped in their houses. Some families had to put up their beds over bamboo posts and have taken shelter on them.

The Barogram Development Association consists of a number of animators and THP volunteers. Mr. Alamgir reported of an innovative distribution mechanism that they have implemented to make sure that the most vulnerable of the people are being prioritized. THP staff consulted with the volunteers who know the extent of people’s sufferings and damages very well, to brainstorm ideas for a fair distribution mechanism of relief. The local volunteers identified the neediest of the families. These families then received a “token” in the form of a missive that stated their extremely vulnerable status. These families met at the local mosque, the only dry place in the area, to receive relief materials collected by THP.

Volunteer members of Youth Ending Hunger have also initiated relief effort in their respective neighborhoods. Young men and women in the Goalbari area of Savar, near the city of Dhaka have set up shelters and Oral Hydration Therapy (ORT) corners. They are also going to individual houses to disseminate information about hydration therapy and to emphasize sanitary practices amidst the deluge. Some have given up their rooms in their houses for the flood-affected people. In addition, we received reports that the youth members have set up 8 ORT corners so far in different areas of the country. There they are producing saline and teaching people how to prepare the solution at home.