FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION ASSESSMENT IN THE AREAS AFFECTED BY

TROPICAL STORM MAHASEN

June 2013

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Acknowledgements

This document has been prepared jointly by Food Security Cluster (FSC) Co-Leads FAO and WFP and Nutrition Cluster Lead UNICEF with contribution and participation from the following (in alphabetical order): ACF, CCDB, Christian Aid, CODEC, Concern Worldwide, Islamic Relief, Jaago Nari, Muslim Aid, NSS, Oxfam, Plan Bangladesh, Save the Children, Shushilan, Solidarities International and Speed Trust.

Special thanks to the Department of Livestock and Department of Fisheries of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Department of Agricultural Extension of Ministry of Agriculture along with Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNO), Upazila Chairman, Upazila chairman, Upazila members and local elites for their support with the data collection for the KII for the Agricultural Sectors.

Special thanks to the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO) for their financial contribution to support the normative activities of the Food Security Cluster.

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Acronyms

ACF Action Contre La Faim AEZ Agro Ecological Zone BBS Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics BDT Bangladesh Taka BWDB Bangladesh Water Development Board CCDB Christian Commission for Development in Bangladesh CODEC Community Development Centre ECHO European Community Humanitarian Office FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations FFS Farmers Field School FSC Food Security Cluster DAE Department of Agriculture Extension DC Deputy Commissioner DLS Department of Livestock DoF Department of Fisheries GAM Global Acute Malnutrition GoB Government of Bangladesh HCTT Humanitarian Coordination Task Team HH Households HYV High Yield Varieties IYCF Infant Young Child Feeding INGO International Non Governmental Organisation JNA Joint Needs Assessment KII Key Informant Interviews LLP Low Lift Pumps MoFLS Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock MoA Ministry of Agriculture NGO Non-Governmental Organization NNS National Nutrition Services PIO Project Implementation Officer PLW Pregnant and Lactating Women SAM Severe Acute Malnutrition SMSF Small and Marginal Scale Farmers TWG Technical Working Group UNO Upazila Nirbahi Officers VGF Vulnerable Group Feeding UN United Nations WFP World Food Programme

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Contents Executive Summary ...... 5 1. Introduction and Methodology ...... 9 1.1. Context of the Assessment...... 9 1.2. Objectives ...... 10 1.3. Methodology ...... 10 1.3.1. The process ...... 10 1.3.2. The tools ...... 11 2. Damage to Agriculture ...... 13 2.1. Crops ...... 14 2.2. Livestock and Poultry ...... 17 2.3. Fisheries ...... 21 2.4. Embankments ...... 22 3. Critical Impacts on Food Security ...... 23 3.1. Food Consumption...... 23 3.2. Livelihood groups worst affected ...... 25 3.3. Vulnerable Labour Market ...... 25 3.4. Purchasing Power ...... 26 3.5. External Assistance ...... 27 3.6. Coping Strategy Index ...... 27 3.7. Market Stability ...... 28 3.8. Loan for Food ...... 29 4. Observations on Nutrition ...... 29 5. Need Analysis ...... 32 5.1. Priority Needs ...... 32 5.2. Area and population in need of food and cash assistance ...... 32 5.3. Area and population in need of agricultural assistance ...... 33 6. Recommendations ...... 35 6.1. Recommendations on Food Security and Nutrition: ...... 35 6.2. Agricultural Sector Specific Recommendation ...... 37

Annexes 1 - 17

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Executive Summary

The coastal region of Bangladesh was hit by Tropical Storm Mahasen on May 16, 2013. Following an initial rapid assessment, the Food Security Cluster (FSC) along with Nutrition Cluster decided to carry out a detailed assessment in the three worst affected districts. The districts are Barguna, Bhola and Patuakhali. The major objective of this in depth assessment was to assess the damages to agriculture, food security and estimate the number of households in need of immediate assistance. The assessment was carried out in the worst affected districts and unions, which were identified by Phase 1 findings and consensus by the FSC members, including the United Nations (UN), international/Non Governmental Organizations (I/NGO) and the Government of Bangladesh.

The assessment had two parts the i) food security and nutrition and the ii) agriculture. The food security and nutrition assessment was based on statistically representative household survey, a market survey and some key informant interviews (KII). The agricultural assessment was based on KII with local level relevant government officials and key stakeholders and based on secondary level data from the Government. The data collection was conducted from 28 May to 2 June 2013.

Following are the key findings from the assessment. Food Security: Food consumption was reduced significantly by the affected population. Daily meal consumption reduced by 0.5 times (from 2.8 times daily to 2.3 times). But most importantly, they feel that the food quantity is very insufficient. In terms of food consumption about 27 percent of the surveyed households fall in the poor consumption group and 48 percent in the borderline group. As the affected area suffered from continuous rainfall for more than two weeks, households have lost income/wages as well as assets to buy food. Limited food support from government met the demand for rice only but protein and vegetables were lacking. About 68 percent of the population did not receive any food support. Moreover, people started to take loan to buy food. About 76 percent of those who are taking loans are borrowing for food only.

Livelihoods worst affected: Day labourers, marginal farmers and the fishing community especially those involved in aquaculture were identified as worst affected livelihoods. Damage of standing crops in the field, loss of employment opportunities and damage to fisheries have made these livelihoods most vulnerable. Consequently there are high levels of food insecurity in the

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households depending on these livelihoods. Of the total households with poor food consumption nearly 60 percent depend on day labour and 30 percent households on fishing and aquaculture.

Labour Market: Due to the continuous rainfall, the affected community has lost working days. Moreover the wage rate dropped for both men and women (See Chapter 3) and for both non- agricultural and agricultural labour. As they have lost income, their purchasing power also dropped. As a result this is now is directly affecting the food intake.

Nutrition: According to nutrition partners working in the area, including NGOs, there has been no observed increase in the number of children with acute malnutrition detected through community screening or admissions in treatment programmes in the past months, including post Mahasen. No major disease outbreaks have been reported. It was the pregnant and lactating women (PLW) who were suffering most after the tropical storm. Over 80 percent of the pregnant and lactating women were consuming an inadequate diet after the storm. This may have significant long term implication on their health as well as that of their children. Nearly 42 percent of mothers interviewed faced constraints to breastfeeding their children due to a ‘broken house’ with inadequate space for breastfeeding. Availability of water for cooking food did not seem to be a major problem reported or observed.

Agriculture: The agricultural damages caused by tropical storm Mahasen on 16 May, 2013 in Barguna, Bhola and Patuakhali districts were limited. It was the storm surge on 22 May, followed by heavy rains up to the first week of June that have resulted in the majority of the agricultural losses and damages for marginal and small farmers. Therefore, rather than a sudden on-set emergency, they are now facing a slow on-set emergency. Therefore data has been collected until 17 June 2013, in addition to the field mission from 28 May – 2 June, 2013.

Area and people in need of assistance: Out of 194 unions in three affected districts, 96 unions were identified as worst affected by the local representatives and government officials. In these 96 unions 43,000 households have been estimated to be most vulnerable and severely affected who would need external assistance to come out of the shock. Considering the most affected households with poor food consumption and worst affected livelihoods (day labourers, small/ marginal farmers and people involved with aquaculture) the number of households in need was estimated. 6

Priority needs: Communities identified ‘food’ is their immediate need, followed by house repairing materials, cash and work opportunities. Thus, wage labour opportunity is another major need for the affected communities.

Recommendations on food security and nutrition: Immediate: To respond to the food insecurity situation that has been caused by the effects of storm surge and heavy rains immediate food plus cash support or only cash support for 43,000 vulnerable households in the 96 unions is recommended for four months from July to October . Since markets are fully functional, unconditional cash transfers will enable households to strengthen food security as well as restore their livelihoods. A standard food basket is proposed per household per month comprising of rice, pulses and oil along with cash support amounting approximately to 1700 Bangladesh Taka (BDT) to support remaining food and some basic non- food needs. In case only cash support is planned it should follow the existing wage rate provided by the government public works programme which amounts to around 3600 BDT per household per month. Special feeding should also be provided to PLWs and all children less than five years of age within these 43,000 households.

Medium term recommendations: Cash for Work to rebuild/ develop infrastructure that will protect crop lands in future (e.g. embankments, more resilient homestead, tree plantation etc.). The agencies that implement disaster prevention and enhancing resilience programmes are recommended to expand these activities in the Mahasen affected areas and population so that their resilience can be strengthened in the longer term.

In order to monitor the recovery of the Mahasen affected population a follow up assessment will need to be conducted in Late November (early Rabi), following the Aman harvest.

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Recommendations on Agriculture: Based on the key findings of the assessment, the following agricultural interventions are proposed in the assessed upazilas across the three districts of Barguna, Bhola and Patuakhali. The responses proposed are targeted towards the marginal and small farming households affected by tropical storm Mahasen and by the subsequent storm surge and heavy rainfall.

Crop and Horticulture  T Aman/Boro seed and fertilizer for 12,437 marginal and small scale farmers (July/Aug or Oct/Nov).  Pulses for 16,564 marginal and small scale farmers (Oct-Dec).  Oilseed, spices and other new crop for 6,990 marginal and small scale farmers (variable).  Winter vegetable packages for 2,731 marginal and small scale farmers (Oct/Nov).  Fruit sapling for 1,262 marginal and small scale farmers (July/Aug).  Low lift pumps (LLP) and salinity meters for marginal and small scale crop farmers to mitigate loss and damage in the future. Livestock and Poultry  Vaccine for 32,081 livestock.  Treatment (anti-parasitic treatment, multi-vitamins) for 27,178 livestock and 33,640 poultry.  Livestock and poultry packets including animal feed and shelter distribution for 13,733 marginal and small scale farming households.  Land preparation and transplanting of fodder crops to cover 445 ha (July/Aug). Fisheries  Aquaculture packages for 32,000 marginal and small scale fish farmers.  Cash for net/boat repair for 1,193 fishermen. Water Management  Polder 56/57, 58/3, 47/5 repair. Training  Training programme for farmers for crop, livestock and poultry and fisheries with a special focus on risk mitigation measures and improved production technologies should be planned and implemented using the farmers’ field school (FFS) approach.

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1. Introduction and Methodology

1.1. Context of the Assessment

Tropical Storm ‘Mahasen’ made land fall between Bhola and Patuakhali districts of Barisal division, Bangladesh at 9:30 AM on May 16, 2013. The system then moved over southern Bangladesh, weakened and dissipated on 17 May.1 Subsequent rain and localized flooding that began prior to the storm continued across the affected area2.

In spite of initial concerns about the potential impact of Mahasen, successful early warning and evacuation by the GoB together with a reduction in the speed of the tropical storm meant that the damage to property and infrastructure, as well as the human cost in terms of deaths and injuries, were not as bad as expected. The Humanitarian Coordination Task Team (HCTT) led Joint Need Assessment (JNA) reports.

Districts, like Barguna, Bhola and Patuakhali, which were along the trajectory of the tropical storm, were identified as the worst affected by the government as well as by the initial assessments of humanitarian agencies. A Joint Needs Assessment (JNA) took place under the overall coordination of the HCTT based on the joint decision to trigger a Phase I JNA on Saturday 18th May. The JNA found that around 1,042,340 people3 (around 25 percent of the total population) in the three districts were affected by Mahasen. Based on the findings of the assessment, the JNA team recommended in its report the need for rapid and harmonized sector

1 UNOCHA Flash update for Cyclone Mahasen, OCHA Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, 17 May 2013

assessments4 including detailed assessment on Food security, Livelihood and Agriculture in order to understand the long term impact and define response strategy.

According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis for the coastal area, which included Patuakhali and Barguna districts (completed in January 2013), the Mahasen affected area was already classified as “Phase 3”.5 This is a crisis level, meaning that at least one in five households in the area have the following or worse characteristics: Food consumption gaps with high or above usual acute malnutrition. Please refer to Annex 1 for further information on the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis.

The Food Security Cluster (FSC) and the Nutrition Cluster conducted a combined Phase III assessment on food security, nutrition and agriculture in Barguna, Bhola and Patuakhali districts. The findings of and recommendation from the assessment is presented in this report. 1.2. Objectives

The key objectives of this assessment were to;

1. Understand the current food security, agriculture and nutrition situation in the affected areas. 2. Quantify the number of people in need of external assistance for food security, agriculture and nutrition. 1.3. Methodology

1.3.1. The process The Phase III food security, agriculture and nutrition assessment was led by the FSC in collaboration with Nutrition Cluster. The Humanitarian clusters, including the FSC, Nutrition, Early Recovery, Wash and Shelter, shared information collected to avoid overlap of data collection and multiple interviews.

WFP carried out the key responsibilities of survey coordination, designing of the household level food security assessment including sampling, production of assessment tools, market survey, data management, analysis. Data collection was carried out by TWG FSC members. The Nutrition cluster developed the nutrition module of the household questionnaire, including data analysis and reporting. The FSC co-leads, FAO and WFP, and the Nutrition cluster co-lead, UNICEF, analysed the data and jointly wrote the Phase III assessment report. A full list of collaborators is provided in Annex 2 and 17.

The KII with the Government on agriculture was led by FAO following KII finalization with input from all TWG FSC members and other humanitarian clusters. During the KII, FAO staff visited the

4 Detailed assessment on shelter and rehabilitation of household latrines and education sector assessment that identifies number of non-functional schools by type of institutions as well as damages to and loss of educational materials. 5 Bangladesh Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), Situation Overview, January 30, 2013 – annex 1. For more general IPC information: http://www.ipcinfo.org/ 10

Upazilas and met with Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNO), Upazila Chairmen, Upazila members and local elites to further explain the KII objectives. Subsequently, the team conducted the KII with the respective officials i.e. Upazila Agriculture Officer, Upazila Fisheries Officer and Upazila Livestock Office and collected the required information at the district level office of DAE, DLS and DOF, plus additional information regarding tropical storm Mahasen and the ensuing storm surge and heavy rainfall. Secondary level information was also collected from the district and upazila level officials, local government and local elites from 27 to 31 May, 2013, along with updated reports from the line departments, as late as 17 June 2013, as a result of continued heavy rain.

In advance, official letters were sent to both the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock and the Ministry of Agriculture informing them of the mission and asking for their full support. Department level focal points of the FSC also participated, at Dhaka level, in the planning period for the assessment.

Day long orientation training for the all the teams (enumerators) of different agencies were provided in each district simultaneously. A total of 95 participants had gone through discussion on household questionnaire and data entry.

Phase 3 Food Security, Agriculture and Nutrition Assessment Chronology May 16 Mahasen Storm hit the coast May 18-22 Phase 1 JNA is triggered, conducted and findings shared May 23 Decision to conduct FSC meeting taken in HCTT meeting May 23-25 Methodology (draft tools and sampling) prepared May 26 Combined Early Recovery/WASH/Shelter clusters, and FS cluster meet and decided to hold harmonized but separate assessments with Nutrition cluster integrating with both assessments. FSC meets to take decisions on assessment timeline, methodology and coordination May 28 Assessment teams travel to respective destinations, data entry formats finalized May 29 Data collection and data entry training provided at district level in the 3 districts May 30 – June Data collection with simultaneous data entry 2 June 5 Complete data set is received for analysis June 5-18 Data processing, analysis begins, preparation of findings June 19 Findings on food security, agriculture and nutrition presented at TWG of FSC June 25 Report finalized and shared

1.3.2. The tools Tools

Household survey-200 Market surveys Union Prioritization KII HH atleast 3in each district Matrix

Affected households preferably with children Growth Centers DLS, DoF and DAE UNO, PIO and local NGO under 2 and /or PLW

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o Household Survey: Household survey on food security and nutrition were conducted among households affected by Mahasen with preference to households with Pregnant and Lactating Women (PLW) and children under 2. The following table details how the statistically representative sample at district level was drawn (detailed distribution of HH by upazila is in Annex 16). The sample size is not representative of nutrition indicators, but it is sufficient to provide an indication of the nutrition situation in the selected upazilas. A total of 200 HHS were surveyed in the 3 districts. Among the surveyed HHs, 134 had children under 2 and/or PLW.

Table: Sampling for household survey:

Worst Prevalence of affected Sample HH affected Districts population by Mahasen Precision Design Confidenc size rounded categor (JNA May 2013) Effect e Interval up y 1 Barguna 50% 0.1 1.1 95% 100 2 Patuakhali 20% 0.1 1.1 95% 100 + Bhola Total 200 Note: Severity in Bhola and Patuakhali is similar therefore they are grouped together o Consultation meeting for Union Prioritization: These meetings were held at each upazila headquarter in the three districts for broader consensus on the level of impact at Union level. The participants of these meetings were Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNO), Programme Implementation Officers (PIO), respective union chairmen or their representatives and officers from department of livestock, fisheries and agriculture. o Market survey (MS): Market surveys were done in at least one sadar market or growth centre in the upazilas where the HH survey was conducted. A total of 10 markets were surveyed. The aim of this survey was to understand the price level of essential food items along with the general situation of the physical market. o Key Informant Interviews: The KII questionnaire (refer to Annex 3) was drafted by FAO in collaboration with the Government and further revised following inputs for the FSC TWG from other relevant clusters.

The questionnaire focused on the crop, livestock, fisheries, aquaculture losses and embankment damages following Mahasen, the subsequent storm surge and heavy rain. It also addressed possible short, medium and longer term interventions for response and resilience based rehabilitation for sustainable agricultural livelihoods.

The KII covered twelve (12) upazilas across four (4) districts as follows: Klalapara, RangaBali, Doshmina and Bauphal upazilas of Patuakhali district; Char Fasson, Monpura, Tazumuddin and Lalmohon of Bhola district and Barguna Sadar, Bamna, Amtoli and Pathorghata of Barguna district. FAO experts in the area of agronomy, horticulture, livestock and poultry, and aquaculture and fisheries and water management specialists composed the team. Each team, composed of three experts, was assigned to one particular district over the 5 day period. 12

2. Damage to Agriculture

Land Ownership for Agriculture Farmers and agriculture labourers are major livelihood groups in the southern region including Bhola, Barguna and Patuakhali., According to data collected from the UNOs, the majority of households in these three districts own land for agriculture, ranging from 80 to 86 percent by district. Official Government data (BBS, 2010) for farmer figures show that 46 percent of landowners are small and marginal farmers (owning an average of 0.28 ha), and accounting for only 13 percent of total land. Some 6 percent are medium farmers (owning 2.5 to 7.49 acres) and 2 percent are large farmers (7.5 acres or more) collectively owning 36 percent of the total land. The top 1 percent of large farmers own 10 percent of the land. This assessment considers the needs of the most vulnerable only, including the marginal and small farmers.

Agro Ecological Zone (AEZ) AEZ is a tool that can be used for the assessment of land resources for better planning and management and monitoring of farming resources. For the purpose of this exercise, the AEZ information can be used to determine the production potential of a larger number of crops, suitability, and land use optimization. Long term monitoring of the AEZ is also useful for assessing and mapping flood and drought damages to crops as well as assessing of the impact of climate change. All three districts are in the Ganges Tidal Floodplain but parts of Bhola and Patuakhali are also in the Young Meghna Estuarine Flood Plain. Similar crops can be planted within the same plain areas. Research shows that it is common for 34 percent of the land to be underwater for 5 to 7 months per year.

Challenges faced in the Agricultural Sector The region faces many challenges, including sea level rise and climate change, erosion, salinity, water logging, vulnerable polders, land use conflict, lack of availability of quality surface water for irrigation, lack of availability of stress tolerant crops and cultivars, population and employment, credit, market linkages among others.

Challenges faced by all agricultural sectors include:

 Inundation due to sea level rise and climate change is expected to increase to 14 percent by 2100. This will manifest itself in lower crop productivity and less cropping intensity. Due to coastal and river bank erosion, the southern region, especially Bhola, has since 1960 been squeezed from 6,400 km² to 3,400 km².

 Salinity is a major constraint that hinders production of crops, but not all areas are saline all the time. Embankments and polders exist to protect agriculture land but are in dilapidated conditions and saline water therefore enters the polders and destroys standing crops. However, saline water inside the polders is favourable for shrimp farmers, resulting in land use conflict due to competition.

 Drainage problems along the network of natural canals and drains are a result of siltation build up, thus disrupting the water flow and causing water logging. During Rabi and pre-

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kharif season there is a lack of quality surface water for irrigation, due to water salinity.

 Very few salt, drought and flood tolerant cultivars or appropriate management practices to improve cropping have been developed for the southern region.

 The population in the region is increasing while the availability of land is decreasing, which could result in further degradation of land and water quality.

 Some 80 percent of credit available comes from non-institutional sources charging very high interest rates of approximately 10 percent per month.

 Post-harvest loss is very high, especially in the monsoon season due to absence of market infrastructure, with few collection points and / or warehouses.

Despite the challenges, there is great potential for crops, horticulture, fishery, livestock and market chain enhancement. The medium highlands, which cover Barguna, Bhola and Patuakhali, are suitable for different agriculture practices around the year.

2.1. Crops

2.1.1. Major Cropping Patterns Cropping patterns constitutes the proportion of an area under various crops at any given point of time in a particular unit area. All three districts have a land type of medium highlands, making the area suitable for crops, which can tolerate shallow flooding, such as broadcast or transplanted Aus, jute and transplanted Aman. Mixed broadcast Aus and deepwater Aman is a common practice, or long Aman seedling may be transplanted as the flood water recedes, early enough. Dry Rabi crops are widely grown on soil, which drains during October or November. The other crops covered in the areas are Aus, Boro, ground nut, chilli, mung bean, vegetables, kheshari, and water melon etc. Cropping patterns in the three districts are provided in Annex 4.

2.1.2. Seasonal Crop Calendar The Crop Calendar is a tool that provides timely information about seeds in order to promote local crop production. It contains information on planting, sowing and harvesting periods of locally adapted crops in specific agro-ecological zones. This tool supports farmers and agriculture extortionists across the world in taking appropriate decisions on crops and their sowing period, respecting the agro-ecological dimension. It also provides a solid base for emergency planning of the rehabilitation of farming systems after disasters.

The seasonal crop calendars show that T Aman may be possible for plantation in July following land preparation in June. Boro and wheat seed could also be provided in November/December for field preparation and plantation. At this time, water will have also receded but will result in a long lean season for which food and cash support is encouraged. Preparation for the provision of seed and fertiliser for the horticulture winter planting season, including mung bean, khesari, watermelon, chilli, mustard and ground nut is also recommended since most of the summer vegetables have been fully and or partially damaged.

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Seasonal crop calendar Months for all 3 districts* Field preparation Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Plantation Harvesting

Aus Aman

Boro

Mung bean Chilli

Vegetables, banana and papaya

Ground nut Watermelon Khesari Til ( Sesame) Wheat Mustard *Prepared based on information provided by DAE officials Agriculture Diary 2013 published by AIS, MoA

2.1.3. Loss and Damage to Major Crop (Grain, Pulses, Oilseed, Cash Crops), Vegetables and Fruits The largest extent of total inundated major crop was noted in Bhola with 21,111 ha, followed by Patuakhali (19,157 ha) and Barguna (17,067 ha). Bhola experienced the greatest damages in Boro, while the majority of damage due to inundation in Barguna was T Aus whereas in Patuakhali it was Mung bean.

In Bhola district, Boro was the most affected crop in the Char Fasson (4720 ha), Lalmohon (2640 ha) and Tazumuddin (1460 ha) upazilas. However, in all cases, the partial loss far outweighed the total loss (90 percent to 98 percent) since the majority was already harvested in May. Monpura upazila experienced the greatest loss with Aus, again with the majority as partial loss at 70 percent.

In Barguna district, T Aus was the most affected major crop showing total inundation being most severe in Amtoli at 4220 ha, followed by Barguna Sadar (3005 ha) and Bamna (1000 ha) since harvesting season is from June to August. The total damage was most prevalent in Barguna Sadar with 67 percent, whereas in Amtoli and Bamna the majority was partial loss at 20 percent and 42 percent, respectively. A total loss of mung bean (350 ha) in Pathorgata due to inundation was noted.

In Patuakhali district, the total inundation of mung bean was most severe in Bauphal (5000 ha) Pangbalim (3790 ha) and Dashmina (3620 ha). Total damage was most prevalent in Pangbalim with 90 percent, while partial losses of 100 percent and 85 percent in Dashmina and Bauphal, respectively. 15

Fortunately, 78 percent of chillies in Barguna and 63 percent of chillies in Patuakhali were harvested before the tropical storm. The remaining 22 percent and 37 percent of chillies were inundated in Barguna and Patuakhali, respectively and expected to be fully lost. The beetle leaf/nut is a cash crop in the areas. Some 16 percent of the land used in Bhola to cultivate beetle leaf/nut was inundated with Monura most affected at 67 percent followed by Lalmohon at 33 percent. Finally, it was noted that in both Barguna and Bhola districts, Aman is largely grown in all upazilas. It is advised that saline tolerant varieties are explored for increased diversification, especially for these two unions.

An estimated 42,269 marginal and small scale farmers HHs who have lost cultivating rice, pulses, oil seeds and spices across the Agricultural Crops three districts were affected with 8,484 in Bhola, 13,788 in No Loss Loss Did not cultivate Barguna and 19,997 in Patuakhali. Details of the damage of existing major crops by the tropical storm Mahasen is reflected in Annex 5. 17% 33% Barguna has been most affected with the highest level of inundated land used for summer vegetables at 96 percent 50% followed by Patuakhali (57 percent) and Barguna (44 percent). Consequently, there will be a scarcity of summer vegetables in the area. The small and marginal farmers are now unable to cultivate summer season vegetables due to losses caused by the inundation of land. The farmers must therefore wait for the winter season. The summer vegetables lost in the area include: okra, yard long bean, amaranths, Indian spinach, kangkong, snake gourd, cucumber and sweet gourd etc. Detailed information about the damage of summer vegetables for the three districts by upazila is provided in Annex 6. An estimated 2,487 marginal and small scale farming households (owning an average of 0.28 ha) have been affected across the three districts and would benefit from winter vegetables.

A total of 28 percent of land used for fruit garden/homestead plantation was inundated in Patuakhali followed by 25 percent in Bhola. In Barguna, the local DAE office was unable to provide information. Although some damages were evident, these did not appear to be significant.

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% of homestead gardens lost

No homestead garden Yes No

6%

28%

66%

In the reported area, farmers cultivate mainly banana and papaya in the pond dikes and along medium high land near homesteads. Banana and papaya damage as a result of the tropical storm was noted. In Bhola and Patuakhali, 9 percent and 27 percent of fruit gardens along with 25 percent of homesteads, where banana and papaya are also cultivated, were inundated.

In Bhola district, 38 percent of the tree plantations, administered by the Forest Department, were inundated and partial damage varies from 50 percent to 95 percent across the four upazilas reviewed. Agro-forestry is at its initial stages, through homestead plantations, strip plantations and mangrove forestry in the area. Although immediate actions are not proposed in this assessment, medium to long interventions warrants attention to ensure agro-forestry success and to prevent further loss of biodiversity (disappearance or extinction of indigenous flora and fauna).

An estimated 1,242 marginal and small scale fruit tree farming households in Bhola and Patuakhali (289 and 973 respectively) were affected. Full details of the total and partial damage of fruit garden/homestead plantation crops by upazila can be found in Annex 7.

Overall, it is important to keep in mind that at this time, waters have now receded. Crops that were fully damaged have been lost and those that were partially damaged can be estimated at an overall average of 25 percent. Farmers will require timely supply of high yielding variety (HYV) and hybrid seeds with farmer training and credit. Medium to longer term approaches should address improvements in the value chain, explore ridges and adjacent areas in non-tidal and non- saline zones by adopting special techniques to introduce climate change resilient approaches to crop, vegetable and fruit production in the area.

2.2. Livestock and Poultry

The damage was severe along the flash flood, riverbanks and on the seashore where the most vulnerable households live. Small, marginal, and landless farmers own about 80 percent of the total livestock population in southern delta. Among the most vulnerable people, loss and affected assets included chicken, duck, goat, sheep, cattle, and buffalo. Women take on the main responsibility of rearing livestock and poultry. This generates some household income and helps to improve the nutritional status of the household through the consumption of meat, milk and eggs. 17

2.2.1. Livestock and Poultry Affected due to Shed Damage or Loss Financial losses resulting from the loss of livestock and poultry was estimated very conservatively based on Livestock Loss the price decided by the upazila and district level of officers. DLS defines ‘affected animals’ as those, which Did not have any Lost Livestock lost their sheds due to flooding or strong winds No livestock lost (damaged fully or partially) during the tropical storm.

20% Household surveys show that 50 percent of livestock 30% were lost during the initial days of Mahasen and the subsequent storm surge. Furthermore, Government 50% figures, as of the 17 June, show that the loss of poultry (chicken) was especially high (4,436) in Barguna. Patuakhali also experienced the greatest losses with poultry (2,205 chickens and 512 ducks) followed by sheep (776) and goat (174). In Bhola district, a loss was only seen in Char Fasson with the concentration of loss being that of chicken (4,146) and ducks (1,088). However, the total

financial loss of livestock and poultry was estimated by DLS at BDT 5.69 million.

DLS reports that, as of 17 June, some 17,116 livestock and poultry farming households have been affected, with 1,270 in Bhola, 6,566 in Patuakhali and 9,330 in Barguna due to shelter loss or damage, feed and fodder loss or damage and death of livestock and poultry, of those 80 percent are classified as marginal and small farming households.

The total number of affected livestock and poultry in Barguna reported includes 22,480 cattle, 2,541 buffaloes, 10,931 goats, 262 sheep, 37,055 chickens and 19,990 ducks at a total loss of BDT 133,553,750. Patuakhali was less severely affected with 1,680 cattle, 157 buffalo, 2,017 goats, 120 sheep, 21,645 chickens and 3,735 ducks. Bhola was least affected but attention is still warranted in Char Fasson with 3,176 chicken, 742 duck followed by 1362 cattle and 562 goat. Further details are provided in Annex 8.

The estimated numbers provided, on 17 June 2013, by DLS of partially damaged sheds and shelters for large ruminant, small ruminant and poultry at the household level are detailed below. Support should include the construction of new sheds that are more tolerant to flooding and high winds, along with technical transfer of improved farming techniques and stress tolerant varieties to mitigate the risk of further loss.

Traditional livestock shelters consist of a thatched house with a concrete floor or tin roof with a platform for the goat/sheep. For poultry, shelters are constructed of bamboo and wood for backyard poultry and wood, brick, semi concrete, tin roof and concrete floor for commercial poultry. The most vulnerable groups, which should be addressed, are the backyard poultry farmers and small scale livestock owners,

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2.2.2. Damages and Loss of Animal Concentrate, Feeds (Straw), HYV Fodder and Grazing Land Lack of feed and fodder in the region is acute and the impact of Mahasen and subsequent Fodder Lost % storm surge is further aggravated by this, Does not have fodder Fodder lost Not lost resulting in emaciation and low productivity due to livestock and poultry malnutrition. With this also comes increased risk of disease including: pneumonia, diarrheal, dysentery, 35% 29% dermatitis, nitrate poisoning, worm, anaemia, 36% cold shock in livestock; and RTI and diarrhoea in poultry.

The below tables outline the losses and damages of straw, fodder and forage by upazila from data collected in the field, along with a summary of losses at the district level provided by DLS on 17 June 2013. Addressing the loss of fodder is a medium term intervention and will depend of land availability. Fodder and forage have been lost. The transplantation of roots/stems of perennial grasses takes place after the first rain when the land is already tilled and prepared. Depending on the amount of rainfall and when the waters recede, the planting season is expected to continue up to August. Support to prepare and transplant the roots would be ideal however, in the meanwhile there is a need for animal feed concentrate.

As a coping mechanism, farmers are collecting water hyacinth and other leafs for livestock and rice for poultry as feed, which compromises animal health and production. Concern was also raised about grass contaminated due to spreading of urea though rain water, which resulted in nitrate poisoning of ruminants. Excessive moisture may also accumulate in grain and straw leading to ‘Mycotoxicosis’. Contaminated grass can also result in worm infestation.

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Damage and Loss of Straw, Fodder and Forage

District Upazila Straw (MT) HYV Fodder (MT) Forage (MT)

Char Fasson 346 1205 910 Bhola Total 346 1205 910

Kalapara 550 11000

Rangabali 250 4000 Patuakhali Doshmina 125 300

Galachipa 1050 600

Total 1975 15900

Amtoli 4850 15 6390

Borgunasadar 3000 5 3500 Barguna Pathorghata 2880 4 1665

Bamna 1500 3 550

Total 12230 27 12105 Source: DLS information updated as of 17 June, 2013

Livestock, Poultry, Feed and Fodder - Damage and Loss Information by District

Loss by Loss by Loss by Damage Damage Damage Dairy Poultry Loss Loss Loss Dead Total Loss District Feed Straw Fodder Shelter Shelter (BDT) (BDT) (BDT) animal (BDT) (MT) (MT) (MT) (BDT) (BDT) (BDT)

Barguna - 1182100 12 480000 174 1570000 7395 29190000 1878250 34300350

Patuakhali 1070000 5265000 15.95 790500 1030 10300000 1030 47712000 1916100 67053600

Bhola 82000 389000 715 24943000 1268 13477000 1268 10519000 1898800 51308800

Total 1152000 6836100 742.95 26213500 2472 25347000 9693 87421000 5693150 152662750 Source: DLS information updated as of 17 June, 2013

2.2.3. Vaccination and Treatment Upazila based Department of Livestock services are providing livestock and poultry with treatment and vaccines to protect upcoming related disease support. A mass vaccination approach and treatment approach was carried out in most affected areas in Bhola and Patuakhali. However, further assistance is needed to address the gap across the four upazilas in Barguna for cattle and buffalo (18,751 still to be vaccinated and 15,985 requiring treatment), goat and sheep (11,193 still to be vaccinated and treated, plus 33,640 poultry still to receive treatment. In Patuakhali all 2,137 affected goat and sheet across the four upazilas still require both vaccination and treatment. Refer to Annex 9 for more details.

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2.3. Fisheries

Bangladesh is situated in the delta of the Brahmaputra, Jamuna, Ganges, Padma and Meghna rivers. It has a total area of some 147,960 km² and its rich and deep soil and humid climate result in some of the most fertile, productive and versatile agricultural land in the world. About one third of the land is flooded for up to 6 months each year by nutrient rich water from the Delta Rivers. The core inland water area consists of some 43,377 km², of which 65 percent comprises seasonal floodplains, 245 rivers and estuaries and about 6 percent baor, and ponds that lend themselves most readily to freshwater fish and shrimp production.

Generally, in the coastal areas, fisheries and aquaculture represent the main livelihood. About 10.5 percent of the total population is directly or indirectly involved in fisheries. Because of the high importance of the fisheries to the national economy and to the diet of the people, attempts have been made to expand fish culture activity throughout the region.

The main areas of damage were identified in the form of over flooding of ponds, ghers and shrimp farms of the region. In addition, pond dikes have also been damaged. The severity of damage has been intensified due to constant heavy rainfall in the aftermath of Mahasen, which has resulted in water logging. In some places, flood control dams were broken and sluice gates were found to be inactive. In addition, the drainage system was found totally absent in the area. In the fisheries sector carp ponds and ghers of shrimp area were inundated.

2.3.1. Loss and Damages Barguna district, covering Amtoli, Barguna Sadar, Bamna and Pathorgata upazilas, is very rich in aquaculture resources exhibiting a total of 84,793 ponds, 117 ghers, 1077 shrimp farm, 4 hatchery, 66 nursery and 80,736 fish farmers. However, the estimated losses of Barguna district have been reported to stand at BDT 1496.08 lakh and affecting around 48,048 fish farmer. The extent of damage was in tune of 59,918 (50,173 severely and 9,745 partially damaged) ponds, causing a loss of 1,574 MT fish amounting to BDT 1053.97 lakh. Furthermore, 299 ghers, 93 shrimp farm, 3 hatchery and 41 nurseries were affected. In total 44,048 fish farmers have been seriously affected. Due to pond dike damage, fish farmers are unable to prevent fish from escaping from their ponds. In Barguna, an estimated 22,809 marginal and small scale fish farmers were affected. Relating to capture fisheries, the damage to fishing boats and nets, and the number of affected fishermen was not provided however, the Government noted that it was minimal and valued at BDT 18 lakh. An estimated two weeks of fishing was also lost due to bad weather conditions.

Patuakhali district, covering Kolapara, Golachipa, Rangabali and Dashmina upazilas, also demonstrate significant potential and is rich in aquaculture resources. The resource availability data shows 55,857 ponds, 439 shrimp farms, 3 hatcheries, 220 nurseries, 46,750 fish farmers and 34,690 fishermen. Most of the areas have been inundated due to continuous rainfall after the storm, which has been further exasperated by a poor drainage system. The figures indicate that a total of 18,700 ponds, 382 shrimp farms and 162 nurseries have been affected at an estimated total financial loss of BDT 614.3 lakh across the four upazilas. Kolapara upazila being the most affected. In Patuakhali, an estimated 5,095 marginal and small scale fish farmers were affected. Some 800 fishermen were affected, with 480 partially affected and 320 fully affected when asked 21

at the union level. However, data on the number of damaged nets and boats was not available. Nonetheless, when estimating partial damages at 25 percent, an estimated 441 fishermen would benefit from assistance.

Data for Bhola district includes Char Fasson, Monpura, Taxumuddin and Lalmohon upazilas. There are currently 32,645 ponds, 50,915 fish farmers and 78,311 fishermen of which 44,706 are registered. In Bhola district, a total of 9,550 fish farmers were affected with 5,920 severely affected and 3,630 partially affected. This was due to 4,000 ponds being affected (3,000 fully and 1,000 partially) and 5,550 pond dikes affected (2,920 fully and 2,630 partially), valued at BDT 700 lakh. The loss of fish has amounted to 2,744 MT at an estimated financial loss of BDT 3,844 lakh. In Bhola, an estimated 1,016 marginal and small scale fish farmers were affected. Fishermen were most affected in Char Fasson (8000) and Monpura (500) upazilas and damages, both partially and fully, amount to 1,900 boats and 1,600 nets at a value of BDT 130 lakh. In all districts an estimated period of more than two weeks of capture fishing was lost due to bad weather conditions. Again, assistance to an estimated 752 fishermen is recommended, when calculating partial damage at 25 percent.

In general, the main types of fish that have been lost include carp, tilapia, pangus, and shrimp. Detailed information on the severely and partially affected fish farmers and fishermen is provided in Annex 10. 2.4. Embankments

Polders are major interventions that provide benefits to the production systems and livelihoods. The Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) has constructed 139 polders in the southern delta since the 1960s, which have contributed significantly in enhancing food production in the initial decades. However, these are now gripped with second generation problems, both social (land use conflict) and environmental. It is not clear if all polder damage (recorded below) was a result of the storm or if some were already eroded and neglected polders, in need of repair. We do however know that the emerging threat of climate change and consequent sea level rise has made a high number of polders vulnerable. Many polders, aside from the impacts of the tropical storm, are already in dilapidated conditions in terms of breach and slip in the embankment and erosion leading to recurring problems of salinity. Drainage congestion due to siltation and encroachment of canals and above all, location in the risk zones, are also factors that need to be addressed. Furthermore, the onrush of upstream flow and prolonged rainfall lead to water logging, further aggravating by empoldering. To cope with vulnerability it is necessary to rehabilitate damaged infrastructures of the polders. However, repair itself is not sufficient, it is necessary to construct climate-resilient polders with an appropriate design to withstand rising water level and storm surges. Although this type of work will require time, it is critical for increased resilient and decreased risk among agriculturalist.

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The below information concerning damage of embankments was provided by the Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNO) in the different districts through the Water Management Board in the three Mahasen affected districts. The BWDB has already initiated work to repair 200 meters of the embankment in Barguna district, Amtali upazila, polder numbers 44 and 45. Further support is however needed to repair and build back better the below mentioned polders.

Damage to Embankments in Bhola, Barguna and Patuakhali by Upazila District Embankment situation Polder Number: Nature of damage: Fully Length of damage (m) Char Fasson 56/57 damaged in three points About 800 m. Polder Number: Nature of damage: Length of damage (m) : Monpura 58/3 Embankment broken. 1 km Polder Number: Nature of damage: Fully Length of damage (m): Bhola Lalmohon 56/57 damaged in two points Total about 700 m. Length of damage (m). Nature of damage: Polder Number: a) 400 m. Tazumuddin Fully damaged in two (2) 56/57 b) 300 m. points. Total 700 m. Polder Nature of damage: toppling of Length of damage (m): 200 Barguna Amtali Numbers: 44 & tidal water over the Sidr. meter 45 Damaged embankment Nawapra village over flow by Around 500 meter of total Polder number Patuakhali Kalapara flood water and damage Aus damage and 3 km of partial 47/5 crops damage embankment damage

3. Critical Impacts on Food Security

3.1. Food Consumption

Following the cyclonic storm Mahasen there were persistent rainfall for several days in the coastal belts, which was Table 3.1 Avg. Meal consumption (times per day) unusual for the the month of May. Along with the initial damages to the crops, houses and food stock caused by the storm; the prolonged rainfall further worsened the overall food security situation.

Loss of food stock, crop and lack of income opportunities forced the affected households especially households depending on day labour, marginal farming and fishing to reduce the number and amount of meal consumption. The survey results show that the affected households, especially the adults, have reduced their food intake by nearly 1 time /

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day. From the household survey, it was seen that meal consumption was reduced for all age groups and as anticipated female members of the family were compromising more.

Along with the reduced meal frequency the quantity of meal consumed by the affected households were also reported to be less than the pre-tropical storm period. Due to the prolonged rain after Mahasen, it has been difficult for households to spend Food Consumption Groups money to buy adequate food. Poor (<=28) Borderline (>28 - 42) Acceptable (>42) The following table shows Table80% 3.2 Sufficient meal consumption67% 62% household responses on 60% sufficient6 amount of food 48% 39% consumption. A very high 40% 33% 27% 25% 28% 26% 18% proportion of affected 20% 12% 16%

% of households of % households responded with 0% insufficient quantity of food Barguna Bhola Patuakhali Total consumption. In terms of intra household food consumption, the adult and adolescent members of the households are consuming substantially less to provide more food for the children and elderly. Based on the food consumption scores, about 27 percent of the total households surveyed have ‘Poor’ consumption and 48 percent have ‘Borderline” food consumption. This borderline group is also in risk as they are prone to slipping to the poor food consumption group as the negative coping strategies increases. Only about 25 percent of households were found to have regular access to diversified diet.

Disaggregated food consumption data by the three districts depicts that Barguna district has the highest percentage of households (nearly 39 percent) with poor food consumption, whereas households with borderline food consumption was higher (over 60 percent) in Patuakhali and Bhola. During the time of the survey, food distribution was going in some unions of Bhola and Patuakhali, which could have been the reason of low proportion of poor food consumption as compared to Barguna. Moreover, due to the continued rain, data could not be collected from some of the hard-to-reach areas on Patuakhali and Bhola districts. However, anecdotal information reported severe food insecurity in Kalapara of Patuakhlai district and Amtali of Barguna district.

6 Sufficiency: Household survey defined sufficiency in terms of meeting the hunger. If the amount of food meets hunger properly, then it was termed ‘sufficient’. 24

3.2. Livelihood groups worst affected

The survey reported that households predominantly depend on day labourers, both agricultural and non-agricultural (including rickshaw and van puller), marginal farmers (who owns less than 0.28 ha of agricultural land) and fishing communities (especially aquaculture) are worst affected by tropical storm Mahasen. The following table shows the percentage of households depending on the livelihoods identified as worst affected of the total surveyed households.

Percentage of households with predominant The estimates clearly indicate that day livelihoods labourers are affected in higher numbers Day Labour 42% followed by fishing communities and marginal farmers. Marginal Farmer 17% Based on the survey data, further analysis Fishing (aqua culture) 25% was run to estimate the status of food consumption in the three worst affected Food insecurity by livelihood groups livelihoods after the tropical storm. The Poor food Borderline food food consumption scores also indicates consumption consumption that very high proportion of households Day labourer 58% 39% with day labour as primary occupation, Marginal 4% 16% farmer have poor food consumption (58 percent) Fishing followed by fishing community 29% 31% community (29 percent) and marginal farmers (4 percent).

However, in terms of livelihoods, the magnitude of damage for the marginal farmers was no less than the two other livelihoods.

According to the crop calendar, in many areas, marginal farmers were getting ready for the harvest of late Rabi/winter crops. Also they were about to be involved with the next crop (Aman) plantation. Due to the storm, followed by rainfall and inundation, people were stranded at home and working opportunities also reduced. Since the secondary livelihood options also were disrupted, the marginal farmers were exposed to a critical situation with inundated land, loss of crops and livelihood assets. Those who made investment on pulses, chillies and oil seed, are counting a huge loss. The affected farmers are now struggling to manage the next cropping season with minimal or no income.

In Barguna, Patuakhali and Bhola, people are involved with aquaculture. While a specific community could not go for fishing in the sea, a larger community lost monoculture fish and other fishes from ponds. This has been an instant loss for many households.

3.3. Vulnerable Labour Market

As mentioned above, prolonged rainfall after Mahasen and the affected croplands have created a dent in the labour market. Wage rate has dropped for both Agricultural and Non-Agricultural 25

labourers. In all three districts, the wage rate collected during the survey time was less than the pre-Mahasen situation. In addition, the possibility of getting work has been reduced (now they get less number of days to work). The following graph is showing on an average drop in wages in all 3 affected districts.

Fig 3.6 Agri Wage Fig 3.5 Non- Agri Wage

Wage Days Wage Days 237 235 210 204

141 124 136 111

18 9 17 11 16 7.6 14 8

Before After Before After Before After Before After Male Female Male Female

In the storm affected coastal areas there were some cash crops waiting to be harvested; therefore agricultural labourers were expecting some income out of it. The damage to the crops due to the tropical storm, has impacted the wage rates as well as income of the poor labourers. The figures on agricultural wage clearly show a substantial decline in wage rates as well as in working days immediately after the tropical storm. As a result, the food consumption for households is alarming. However, this is the situation during the prolonged rain. Households perceived that the situation would improve as the rain stops and water recedes. However, the dent made by the initial couple of weeks would have a significant impact in terms of negative coping and increased debt. The recovery of livelihoods, lost assets and food consumption to the pre-tropical storm situation is likely to take time for the affected vulnerable households due to lack of income and investment capital.

3.4. Purchasing Power

Based on the data collected on wage rates for the day labourers and average rice price at the time of the survey (BDT 29.6), Terms of Trade (ToT) in Taka was calculated to assess purchasing power of the affected population. The data clearly shows that the purchasing power of the both agriculture and non agriculture based households have decreased significantly compared with the pre-tropical storm period. Although overall wage is much higher for the male labourers, the rate of wage decline between pre and post tropical storm period is not substantially different between male and female. The decline in wage rate, leading to reduced income, is one of the major reasons of the higher percentage of poor food consumption in the day labour households.

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Fig 3.7 ToT: Non Agri Wage Fig 3.8 ToT: Agri Wage Earners earners ToT ToT 8.0 7.1 7.9 6.9 4.8 4.2 4.6 3.8

Before After Before After Before After Before After Male Female Male Female

3.5. External Assistance

Since it was anticipated that the affected population had less resources to recover for initial shocks, the assessment wanted to get an idea about the type of external assistances that reached the affected. The graph shows that food was the major type of assistance received.

Fig 3.9 Fod Assistance Fig 3.10 % of Type of Ext. Did not receive Received Assistance Received 40 30 20 32% 10 68% 0 Food Repairing Cash Others materials

However, not everybody been privileged to receive food assistance. Only 32 percent Fig 3.11 Sources of Food Received among the surveyed household mentioned Others that they have received food assistance. When an emergency like Mahasen is Neighbour followed by prolonged rain, not having any Social Organization food assistance has a clear linkage with food Relatives insecurity. As the government had

significant preparation, the source of this NGO From which From source? assistance was mainly from them. However, Govt. NGOs, relatives and neighbours supported the affected population as per their 0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% capacity.

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3.6. Coping Strategy Index

The Coping strategy index values were grouped into low, moderate, high and very high. The majority of the households had a coping strategy index low to medium. In the high coping strategy index category, surprisingly households with acceptable food consumption were highest 35.4 percent followed by borderline (25.3 percent) and poor (27.1 percent) food consumption groups. The most practiced coping strategies reported are: ‘reduced meal size for elders’, ‘borrowed food from relatives/ neighbours’ and skipped meals.

3.12 Food Consumption Group (HH%) by Coping Strategy Index 45% 40%

35% 30% 25%

20% Household% 15% 10% 5% 0% Low (0-34) Medium (35-68) High (69-102) Very High 103> Poor (<=28) 28.8% 42.4% 27.1% 1.7% Borderline (>28 - 42) 41.1% 31.6% 25.3% 2.0% Acceptable (>42) 41.7% 20.8% 35.4% 2.1%

Due to poor quality district wise data on coping strategy it was not possible to provide disaggregated information.

3.7. Market Stability

It is usually anticipated that commodity prices increase in a post disaster situation. In all three districts, the market surveys indicated a maximum BDT 2 (Two) increase in per Kg of Rice. However prices of protein sources have increased by roughly 10-15 percent (beef, chicken, shrimp, small fishes etc.). Due to the continuous rainfall, the roads were disrupted in some places but this did not hamper the supply of food stock.

As per the observation during the market survey; vegetables were not seen in an adequate amount. While assessing the food consumption score, it was also evident the vegetable intake is significantly lower per household. Many of the household used to practice homestead gardening of vegetables that got damaged during the storm followed by inundation.

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3.8. Loan for Food

Majority expressed that taking loan has increased in the Fig 3.13 Loan for food purchase Percent affected areas. About 50 36.7 30.1 percent of the surveyed 24.4 households responded that the tendency of taking loans has increased compared to same 5.1 3.6 period of last year. And the reason is the recent damages No Yes, below Yes, between Yes, between Yes, more due to storm and livelihood Tk. 2000 Tk. 2000 - Tk. Tk. 5001 - than Tk. loss. However about 34 percent 5000 10000 10000 of the households found that trend of taking loan remains normal.

A large part of the loans taken is spent 100%or Fig 3.14 Has the loan tendency on food, whereas before tropical storm more increased? Increased the loan/credit was spent mostly on compared non-food items. About 76 percent of to last year the respondents who took loans stated 1% N/A the reason is to buy food. This further 50% 15% strengthens the previous findings of Increased Normal lowering of household income and compared 34% to last year thus food purchasing capacity. 7% 20% Increased compared to last year 43%

4. Observations on Nutrition

Primary findings from the Phase I initial post-assessment showed that shelter, sanitation facilities and livelihoods assets were damaged and lost during the tropical storm Mahasen. This revealed risk factors which could aggravate pre-existing vulnerability in relation to nutrition. The three most affected districts; Bhola, Barguna and Patuakhali already have high pre-existing food consumption gaps and relatively high levels of acute malnutrition.7 Food insecurity and an

7 Bangladesh Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), Situation Overview, January 30, 2013. 29

inadequate health and care environment can disrupt Infant Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices, which have a direct impact on the nutritional status of vulnerable groups, especially women and children. It was therefore decided that key nutrition indicators should be included in the Phase III joint assessment led by the Food Security cluster, to assess and monitor current IYCF practices in affected communities.

Based on data from last year for the same seasonal period, the prevalence of Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) in the 3 districts affected most by Mahasen is estimated at 14.6 percent8 compared to the national average of 16 percent9. The prevalence of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), which carries a higher risk of mortality in young children, is estimated to be 2.3 percent in these districts10, compared to the national average of 4 percent.11 Although slightly lower than the national average, the districts of Bhola, Barguna and Patuakhali have high rates of undernutrition, which can be easily aggravated by factors described above.

Nutrition indicators to assess IYCF were integrated into the data collection forms of the Food Security cluster. The same methodology for sampling and data collection (as described earlier) was followed to assess the nutrition situation (non-anthropometric). Primary data was collected from Household questionnaires. A total of 150 HHs out of 200 HHs sampled were found to have a pregnant/lactating women and/or child under 5 and were assessed for nutrition practices, including IYCF and dietary intake of pregnant and lactating women. The sample size is small and was not designed to be representative, but rather indicative of trends that can elicit further investigation as needed.

Key Findings

• Main concern emerging from this assessment is a reported lack of dietary diversity for both women and children in the three affected districts.

• Only 18 percent of young children consuming a ‘minimum dietary diversity’ (which is adequate in number of food groups for age), compared to 34 percent which is typical for the area and season.12

• Less than 5 percent of mothers consumed adequately diverse diets compared to 71 percent, which is typical for the area and season.13

8 Food Security and Nutrition Surveillance Project (FSNSP), HKI/BRAC University/EU, 2011 9 Bangladesh Demographic Health Survey (BDHS), 2011 10 FSNSP, 2011 11 BDHS, 2011 12 Food Security and Nutrition Surveillance Project (FSNSP), HKI/BRAC University/EU, 2011 13 Idem 30

% children 6-23 months consuming minimum dietary diversity 30

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10

0 Barguna Bhola Patuakhali Total

Dietary diversity of women 100 80 60 Lowest dietary diversity (≤3 40 food groups) 20 Medium dietary diversity (4 & 5 0 groups)

• Although a relatively high number of mothers (>82.6 percent) reported exclusively breastfeeding their child 0-6 months, mothers not exclusively breastfeeding cited insufficient breastmilk as a reason and constraint.

• 41.7 percent of mothers interviewed faced constraints to breastfeed their children due to a ‘broken house’ with inadequate space for breastfeeding.

• Around 84.3 percent of pregnant and lactating women reported facing problems with their own dietary intake and rest after the tropical storm, due to decreased quantity and diversity of normal foods consumed/taken

• No major disease outbreak or increase in illness observed by health authorities or service providers. Health centres remain functional and continue to provide basic, essential health and nutrition services.

• According to nutrition partners working in the area, including NGOs, there has been no observed increase in the number of children with acute malnutrition detected through community screening or admissions in treatment programmes in the past months, including post Mahasen.

• Availability of water for cooking food did not seem to be a major problem reported or observed.

• However, women reported inadequate safe and private spaces for breastfeeding and sanitation, and some noted fear of attacks after dark. 31

5. Need Analysis

5.1. Priority Needs

When households were asked to mention their needs, food followed by shelter repair and cash were identified as very high priority needs. The deteriorating labour market with poor wage, damage of food stocks and crops and increased debt has resulted in a dearth of food and cash for the affected households, thus food and cash came up as top two priority requirements. Due to prolonged inundation, household plinths were getting degraded, thus housing repair is also considered an important need. The need for food and shelter repair is however strongly linked to availability of cash vis-a-vis income earning opportunities. The following graph shows priority needs as identified by the households in three districts.

5.1 Priority Need

Food House repairing materials Work opportunity Sanitation Short term cash support Seed (agri) Patuakhali Agri Input Bhola Livestock Input Support for Child education Barguna Health Support Support for pure water Others No Help

0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0%

5.2. Area and population in need of food and cash assistance

Information on the worst affected unions and upazilas in the three affected districts was collected from the UNOs, Union chairmen and members and Project Implementation Officers (PIO) through a union prioritization matrix. Out of 194 unions, 96 were found [Annex 14 A: Map] to be at high and very high risk in terms of food security situation.

To estimate the households in need of food and cash as relief and recovery assistance following steps were followed. 1. Total 96 unions were identified as worst affected 2. In the 96 unions affected households were estimated based on the percentage of population affected data from JNA Phase I. 32

3. From the affected households the most food insecure households were estimated applying 27.3 percent households with poor food consumption as derived from the current survey. 4. The percentage of worst affected livelihoods, like day labourers, marginal farmers and fishermen, were applied to the food insecure households identified in step 3, which gave final estimation of households that are food insecure with worst affected livelihoods who are most vulnerable.

Based on the above mentioned methodology, the assessment estimated around 51,000 households as food insecure of which 43,000 households depend on livelihoods that are severely affected by the tropical storm. The current assessment concludes that these 43,000 households are most vulnerable who should receive external assistance.

The following table provides a breakdown of the 43,000 most vulnerable households in need of assistance by worst affected livelihood categories.

Food insecure households by livelihoods groups in need of assistance

Livelihood Group # HHs Number of Day Labour (42%) 21600 Number of Small & Marginal Farmer (17 %) 8600 Number of Fishing households (25 %) 12800 Total HHs 43,000

5.3. Area and population in need of agricultural assistance

The proposed agricultural sector need is based on the following criteria:

• Forty six percent of total number of affected households was used to determine the number of marginal and small scale farmers, which is defined by an average of 0.28 ha of land in the southern delta. This is in line with the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics literature for categorising major households by land. All figures were based on primary data provided by the Government of Bangladesh to determine losses and damages.

• The most vulnerable livestock and poultry farmers was calculated at 80 percent of the total affected population since 80 percent of the population in that area constitutes marginal and small farmers. The most vulnerable fish farmers was calculated at 60 percent of the total affected population since 60 percent of the population in that area constitutes small and marginal fish farmers. This is based on information provided by DLS and DOF.

• In all cases, those that had total damage were included in the figures, along with 25 percent of those that had partial damages, since this is in line with how the Government of Bangladesh estimates partial damage.

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5.3.1. Crop Sector Strategic interventions include different crops and sustaining cropping patterns including: T. Aus along with the development of HYV Aus varieties, as well as the introduction of short duration (85,090 days) and flood tolerant varieties; winter vegetables proposed include red amaranths, cabbage, cauliflower, tomato, brinjal, kholkhol, radish, country bean, bottle gourd, sweet gourd, carrot etc.; and the promotion of pulses (khesare mung bean, cowpea and chickpea), oilseeds (sesame, sunflower, groundnut etc) and new crops (maize, chilli, sugar beet, soybean , mushroom, jut and chewing sugarcane). Low lift pumps (LLP) and salinity meters shared among farmers groups is also recommended to mitigate losses and damages in the future.

Specific interventions include:  T Aman/Boro seed and fertilizer for 12,437 marginal and small scale farmers (July/Aug or Oct/Nov).  Pulses for 16,564 for marginal and small scale farmers (Oct-Dec).  Oilseed, spices and other new crop for 6,990 marginal and small scale farmers (variable).  Winter Vegetable packages for 2,731 marginal and small scale farmers (Oct/Nov).  Fruit sapling for 1,262 marginal and small scale farmers (July/Aug).  LLP and salinity meters for marginal and small scale crop farmers are recommended to mitigate loss and damage in the future.

5.3.2. Livestock Sector All animals should receive medicine and vaccine to maintain their health. To prevent transmission of disease and risk of death, emergency medicines and anthelmintics should be provided. Immediate assistance should also be provided to affected marginal and small scale livestock holders for addition animal feeds and materials for repairing and improving animal sheds to be more resilient to inundation and strong winds. Replanting of fodder and restocking of treated and vaccinated livestock and poultry (including feed and shelter) is also recommended after heavy rains subside.

Specific interventions include:  Vaccine for 32,081 livestock.  Treatment (anti-parasitic treatment, multi-vitamins) for 27,178 livestock and 33,640 poultry.  Livestock and poultry packets including animal feed and shelter distribution for 13,733 marginal and small scale farming households.  Land preparation and transplanting of fodder to cover 445 ha (July/Aug).

5.3.3. Fisheries Sector Data collected indicates that a total of 32,000 marginal and small fish farmer are affected. This group of fish farmers should receive support to restock their ponds, once waters recede with aquaculture packages that include fingerlings, fish feed, lime and fertilizer. Fish farmer groups can also receive LLP for water management purposes, along with training to address and mitigate risks due to natural disasters and climate change in the medium to longer term response. The 1,193 affected fishermen could receive immediate cash to repair their boats and nets.

Specific interventions include:

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 Aquaculture packages for 32,000 marginal and small scale fish farmers.  Cash for Net/Boat repair for 1,193 fishermen.

5.3.4. Embankment/Water Management It is recommended that damages reported as a result of tropical storm Mahasen, the subsequent storm surge and heavy rains along Polders 56/57, 58/3, 47/5 are repaired. It is necessary to construct climate-resilient polders with an appropriate design to withstand rising water level and storm surges.

Overall, training programme for farmers for crop, livestock and poultry and fisheries with a special focus on risk mitigation measures and improved production technologies should be planned and implemented using the FFS approach.

6. Recommendations

6.1. Recommendations on Food Security and Nutrition: The recommendations are based on following situations and assumptions.

 Diet diversity and frequency is critical in the affected areas with 75 percent of the households having poor and borderline food consumption. Nearly 80 percent of the women are consuming less than three food groups. Low consumption of food for longer period has health impact especially on the pregnant and lactating women and their children.  A substantial amount of Rabi/winter cash crops awaiting harvest are damaged posing critical income loss for the marginal farmers as well as for the agricultural day labourers.  Livelihoods that are worst affected like day labourers both agriculture and non- agriculture and marginal farmers are mostly spending their savings and credits to purchase food. Moreover the money spent is not replenished and is unlikely to get replenished in the coming months.  The next harvest season starts in November until then income opportunities in the affected areas are very limited. Moreover, in the coming Aman planting season in July- August the marginal farmers are unlikely to cultivate to the full capacity due to lack of sufficient capital resulting from crop damage in the current season. This also has direct impact on the wages of agricultural day labourers.  There is reporting of increased debt which is likely to place the households in higher debts difficult to recover from.

Considering the situation the following specific need must be addressed:

6.1.1. Immediate Recommendations on Food Security and Nutrition:  Food support with diversified and nutritious food basket for 43,000 households, for at least 4 months (July-October) till the next harvest. Primary target can be the households with predominant livelihood category of daily labourers, marginal farmers and fishermen in 96 most affected unions. As the market is functioning, Cash support for the most vulnerable and affected households are required to meet remaining food requirements 35

and repayment of debts. Cash supports should be unconditional as this is not a suitable season for conditional cash transfers.  Intensified IYCF counselling and promotion in the community, with an emphasis on improved dietary diversity intake  Continued nutrition monitoring of the situation and delivery of direct nutrition interventions through health services (prevention and management).  Nutrition sensitive strategies should be mainstreamed to any response in the key sectors of: - Food security/livelihoods: to ensure women and children have access to, and consume adequately diversified nutritious diets; - Shelter: to ensure mothers have safe, private and hygienic spaces to continue breastfeeding their infants and young children. - WASH: adequate sanitation facilities for women and girls, and hygiene promotion to avoid contamination and subsequent illness in children that can lead to undernutrition.

The following table summarizes immediate responses on food security and nutrition

Assistance type Beneficiaries Beneficiaries Duration Assistance details Type No. Unconditional food - Agricultural day 43,000 July - October and cash labourers with no households - Food + Cash: assistance to agricultural lands Food package preferably with address food etc. 34 Kg rice 4.5 kg pulses and 2 insecurity - Female headed kg oil per household per households month*. depending on Cash amount BDT agricultural day 1700/household/month to fill labour should get the remaining gap in the food higher priority. basket and purchase some - Households with basic non-food items. disabled head and limited access to - Cash only: Monthly cash employment. support minimum BDT 3600 BDT**

Supplementary Pregnant and 2150 PLWs July-October PLW: Wheat Soya Blend + feeding for Lactating Women (WSB +) 6 kg/HH/month or vulnerable (PLW) and children 4300 children any other special feeding household members under 5 years of age under 5 years Children u 5: WSB ++ 6 kg/HH/month or any other special feeding * The package contains 50 percent of the net rice, pulse and oil requirement of a household with 5 members. **Derivation of cash support amount: Typical CFW programs employ labourers for 20 days of CFW at 180 BDT/day (govt)

6.1.2. Medium Term Recommendations  Cash for Work to rebuild/ develop infrastructure that will protect crop lands in the future (e.g. embankments, resilient homestead, tree plantation etc.). The agencies that are

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operational in the country with their disaster prevention and enhancing resilience programmes should expand their activities in the Mahasen affected areas and population.  In order to monitor the recovery of the Mahasen affected population a follow up assessment is required in late November (Early Rabi), following the T. Aman harvest.

6.1.3. Long Term Recommendations Considering the underlying causes of the complex poverty situation, it is important to intervene with integrated long term Food Security Programmes, such as income generation activities that help to increase the resilience of the ultra-poor. Future agricultural interventions, across all the sectors, should include explicit objectives of improving nutritional status. Homestead gardening and nutrition education programmes, outlined under section 6.1.1 need to be scaled up. Moreover, agricultural interventions that lead to production, diversity, value chain management and improved access to food and nutrition will help mitigate the negative impacts of climate change among the most vulnerable (refer to below table for medium and long term interventions).

6.2. Agricultural Sector Specific Recommendation

6.2.1 Specific Recommendations on Crop and Horticulture Farmers The immediate response to address the most vulnerable crop farmers is itemized below along with a holistic approach linking the response to resilience and developed through short-, medium- and long-term interventions.

Crop Farmers – Short, Medium and Long-Term Interventions

Time Period Sector Immediate Midterm Long term

. Provide T. Aman or Boro seed . Provide technical training . Develop community and other cash crops seed and on improve rice based farmers fertilizers to the farmers so that production technologies, association, build up they can re-start their other crop cultivation, their capacity. livelihoods. IPM practices. . Provide quick growing winter . Organize training on . Strengthen vegetables seed and fertilizers vegetables cultivation. marketing facilities Cash Crops with agricultural tools to the for crops, fish, eggs, and farmers immediately. chicken and Horticulture vegetables. . Provide seed of cash crop i.e. . Establish some . Develop linkage and chilli, groundnut watermelon etc. demonstration for the communication with to the farmers promising cash crops and different service vegetables. provider in the area. . Arrange agriculture loan for the farmers.

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Proposed Immediate Crop and Horticulture Response among the Most Vulnerable in Bhola, Barguna and Patuakhali Districts Rice Seed Other Cash Crops Homestead

SMSFs in need

Small and marginal SMSFs in need

of assistance

scale farmers SMSFs in need of of assistance SMSFs in need of (46% of District Upazila (SMSFs) in need of assistance (46% of (46% of farmers assistance (46% of farmers

assistance (46% of farmers owning an owning an farmers owning an Spices

Pulses owning an

Fertilizer OilSeed/

farmers owning an average of 0.28 ha) Vegetables average of 0.28 average of 0.28 ha)

average of Fruit sapling Rice Seed and Rice Seed average of 0.28 ha) ha) 0.28 ha)

Char Fasson 570 421 _ 170 205

Aug) Aug)

-

Monpura Nov) 2,538 95 493 124 19

-

Oct)

Nov)

Nov)

-

-

-

Aug)

-

Pulses

Jul (Sep

Lalmohon 739 457 (Oct 278 113 24

(Sep

Bhola

Fruit sapling Fruit sapling

Boro (Oct Boro

Oil Seed/ Spices OilSeed/ Winter Vegetables Winter Vegetables Tazumuddin (July T Aman 886 971 799 133 41

Total 4,733 1,944 1,570 539 289

Barguna Sadar 3,146 2,397 575 662 _

Aug) Aug)

-

Nov)

Pathorgata 399 704 279 555 _

-

ov)

Oct)

Nov)

N

Aug)

-

-

-

- Pulses Pulses

Amtoli 2,665 1,121 380 127 (Jul _

(Oct

(Sep

(Sep

Fruit Fruit sapling

Barguna

Boro (Oct Boro

Oil Seed/ Spices OilSeed/ Winter Vegetables Winter Vegetables Baman (July T Aman 1,239 419 464 285 _

Total 7,449 4,641 1,698 1,629 0

Rangabali 0 6,676 1,236 91 56

Aug)

-

Nov)

Dashmina - 0 1,008 375 100 5

Oct)

Nov)

Nov)

Aug)

-

-

-

-

Pulses Pulses (Jul

Bauphal 50 2,295 2,111 237 789

(Oct

(Sep

(Sep

Fruit Fruit sapling

Boro (Oct Boro

Oil Seed/ Spices OilSeed/ Winter Vegetables Winter Vegetables Kalapara (July T Aman 205 _ 134 123

Patuakhali Total 255 9,979 3,722 563 973

Oil Rice Vege- Fruit GRAND TOTAL 12,437 Pulses 16,564 Seed/ 6,990 2,731 1,262 Seed tables sapling Spices

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6.2.2 Specific Recommendations on Livestock and Poultry The immediate response to address the most vulnerable livestock and poultry farmers is itemised below along with a holistic approach linking the response to resilience and developed through short, medium and long-term interventions.

Livestock and Poultry – Short, Medium and Long-Term Interventions

Time period Sector Immediate Mid-term Long-term

. Support for livestock and . Technology based training . Support for extensive poultry feed, vaccination, L-FFS approach , fodder cultivation in de-worming, vitamin and . Input support such as community level. minerals supplement. livestock and poultry shed . Support for small scale . Support for animal feed materials, live animals and entrepreneurs for Day old . Support for small holder birds, chick production through semi commercial (small . Develop Killas (Kolapara- solar based incubation Livestock scale) poultry farms by 22, rangabali-8, Galachipa- technologies. providing Day old chicks, 16) as animal shelter. . Build Capacity of Upazila vaccine and feeds. . Support for fodder Livestock office and deploy . Life jacket for livestock plantation. of resources in isolated persons to reach to chars . Support for animal and chars. poultry feed, feed storage . Establishment of farms and tank, plastic feeder and breeding centres for drinker for poultry. restocking

Livestock and Poultry Farmers – Proposed Immediate Response

Animal Feed / Vaccination* Treatment *

Fodder**

(June) (June)

(MT)

Oct) Oct) -

District Upazila -

in need in of need

Feed (Sep Fodder (Sep Concentrate

heep (Jul-Aug)

SMSF

Sheep S

Poultry package

Goat & Goat

Buffalo Buffalo Poultry

Poultry (MT) (Jun)

assistance (80%) assistance

Cattle & & Cattle

Livestock package package Livestock

Goat and and Goat Cattle and and Cattle

Lalmohan 41 ------20 21 10 Char Fasson 725 ------Cultivate 362 363 Bhola (10 kg per 60 ha Tajumuddin 181 ------HH) 91 90 Monpura 70 ------35 35 Total 1,016 ------508 509

Kalapara 1,920 - - 670 - - 670 960 960 52 Cultivate Patuakhali Rangabali 1,413 - - 570 - - 570 (10 kg per 707 706 50 ha Doshmina 640 - - 587 - - 587 HH) 320 320 Galachipa 1,280 - - 310 - - 310 640 640

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Total 5,253 - - 2137 - - 2137 2627 2626 Amtoli 2,976 12272 - 5080 10105 13310 5080 1488 1488 75 Borgunasadar 2,752 3894 - 3731 2239 10255 3731 Cultivate 1376 1376 Barguna (10 kg per 335 ha Pathorghata 1,392 1690 - 1782 2361 7055 1782 HH) 696 696 Bamna 344 895 - 600 1280 3020 600 172 172 Total 7,464 18751 - 11193 15985 33640 11193 3732 3732 Grand Total 13,733 18751 0 13330 15985 33640 13330 6867 6867 *Vaccination and Treatment based on gap analysis (Affected - treated/vaccinated by DLS=GAP) **Fodder estimates based on a yield of 22MT/ha (need is based losses (in MT) of fodder reported by DLS

6.2.3 Specific Recommendations on Fishers and Aquaculture The immediate response to address the most vulnerable fish farmers and fishermen is itemised below along with a holistic approach linking the response to resilience and develop through short-, medium- and long-term interventions.

Fisheries – Short, Medium and Long-Term Interventions

Time period Subsector Immediate Midterm Long-term Aquaculture . Input support-Lime, . Provide improved fish . Establish required number of fertilizer, . FFS training on hatcheries and nurseries fingerlings, fish aquaculture . Establish fish seed bank feed . Motivate and encourage . Support for backyard feed . Loan/cash support fish farmer for cultivation preparation machine . Net for pond dike of fast growing and short . Support/promote cage fencing (synthetic duration fish species aquaculture poly propylene . Motivation of community . Re-establish/Re-excavation of nets) fish farmers for timely fish water canals/khals for better . Provide fish farmers harvesting to avoid water drainage with fast growing risk/monsoon period . Re-establish required number and short duration . Pond dike repairing and of sluice gate fish species raising through cash . Build up coordination among . FFS training on support different GO/INGO/NGO for aquaculture . Repairing and raising program planning and embankment polder/dam) implementation . Continued input support fingerlings/fish feed, net for fencing pond’s dike Capture . Cash/loan support . Provide sea safety . Provide sea safety tools and fisheries for net and boat awareness training Equipment repairing . Provide support to . Provide support to fishermen fishermen during during monsoon period monsoon period

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Proposed Targeted Fish Farmers and Fishermen for Input and/or in kind Support Number of fish farmer in need of Number of affected fishermen assistance in need of assistance Marginal District Upazila Affected and Small Aquaculture Affected Net/Boat Repair Fish Farmer Kits Fishermen (cash) Farmers (60%) Char Fasson 3,250 1,950 1,950 500 500 Monpura 1,875 1,125 1,125 252 252 Bhola Tazumuddin 453 272 272 0 0 Lalmohon 1,250 750 750 0 0 Total 6,828 4,097 4,097 752 752 Amtoli 7,971 4,782 4,782 _ _ Barguna 13,386 8,031 8,031 _ _ Sadar Barguna Bamna 2,299 1,379 1,379 _ _ Pathorgata 14,360 8,616 8,616 _ _ Total 38,015 22,809 22,808 _ _ Kolapara 7,500 4,500 4,500 250 250 Golachipa 275 165 165 44 44 Patuakhali Rangabali 467 280 280 84 84 Dashmina 250 150 150 63 63 Total 8,492 5,095 5,095 441 441 GRAND TOTAL 53,334 32,000 32,000 1,193 1,193

6.3.4 Recommendations on Embankment

The World Bank has recently approved a 400 million USD grant to the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) for embankment repairs and reconstruction, of which 5 percent is allocated for disaster response.

It is recommended that some of these funds are used to address the damages reported as a result of Tropical Storm Mahasen, storm surge and heavy rains along Polders 56/57, 58/3, 47/5. However, repair itself is not sufficient, it is necessary to construct climate-resilient polders with appropriate design to withstand rising water level and storm surges, while also addressing conflicting needs of farmers (shrimp vs. crop). Although this type of work will require time, it is critical for increased resilient and decreased risk among agriculturalist. Please refer to table under the “Embankment” section 2.4.

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