Recently, we have visited some of the plan relocation sites at Paikgacha and Koyra Upazila of Khulna District and also have visited some plan relocation sites at Bashkhali Upazila of Chattogram District. Before visiting we had a meeting with Md. Mizanur Rahman, Director General and Mr. Netai Chandra Dey Sarker, Deputy Director of the Department of Disaster Management, Government of Bangladesh. Then in the field level, we had meeting with District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer (DRRO), Project Implementation Officers (PIOs) and Local Governments (UP Chairman, UP Member, Ward Councilor etc.) at both field sites of Khulna and Chattogram District. They have provided many information about all the plan relocation sites (Ashrayan-2 project).
Generally, government has provided those houses to the families who do not have any homestead and own land. But sometimes they have given priority to the climate affected people who have lost their land in various disasters to get those free houses with land. We have visited number of Ashrayan-2 projects by the recommendation of DRRO and PIOs in both Paikgacha, Koyra and Bashkhali Upazila where we have also discussed with local NGOs about the plan relocation projects and our project objectives. By taking suggestions from Government authorities and NGOs we have visited plan relocation projects and primarily we have found that there is some of the challenges people are facing like impacts of natural disasters, lack of employment opportunities, facilities of sub-roads to enter the house, social relationships, access of education service, access of healthcare service, poor quality houses, lack of drinking water etc.
In Bashkhali Upazila, we have visited two plan relocation sites one is situated next to 3 no. Khakhanbad Union Parishad Complex and another one in on hill. These areas are affected by three climate hazards including cyclone, riverbank erosion and saline water. One month before we have also visited Khurushkul Special Ashrayan Project at Coxsbazar District but during meeting with local NGO YPSA in Bashkhali Upazila we found that most of the families taken rent from the actual owner because of the quality houses and other facilities of the project. So that we have visited two plan relocation sites in Bashkhali Upazila of Chattogram District. Now we are way to decide the plan relocation site for further work.
In Paikgacha and Koyra Upazila of Khulna District, we have also visited some plan relocation projects named Ashrayan-2. People from those places are facing several climate disasters like riverbank erosion, saline water, cyclone and thunderstorm. Last year nine people has been died by the thunderstorm at Khulna district, told by DRRO, Khulna. He also mentioned that thunderstorm has documented as climate hazard in Bangladesh. We have selected Amadi Ashrayan-2 Project for Khulna district. People of this project facing some challenges including lack of drinking water, lack of electricity, lack of employment opportunities, poor quality house, facility of sub-road etc. During last cyclone Remal, their homestead has flooded down by broken embankment which was not well made. That time they have stayed at their nearer main road when they were very anxious about their home and appliances.
——
Parvez Bhuiyan
Research Associate