Floods in Northeast (Haor) Areas of Bangladesh, April-May 2017 Report Date: 20 May 2017

Bangladesh HCTT Coordinated Needs Assessment (CNA)

Floods in Northeast (Haor) areas of Bangladesh, April-May 2017 Report date: 20 May 2017

Photo: CNA Team, Netrokona

Md. Yousuf Ali, Director-MIM, DDM, Email: [email protected] Contact for Inquiries: Mahbubur Rahman, ERPC, CARE, Email: [email protected]

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017

Contents Background to the assessment ...... 2 Key Findings: Summary ...... 2 Context of the Northeast (Haor) areas of Bangladesh ...... 7 Key Vulnerability characteristics of six affected haor districts ...... 8 Situation Overview ...... 10 Aggravating Factors ...... 13 Assessment Methodology ...... 14 Food Security ...... 18 Livelihoods and Income ...... 20 Market access ...... 24 Access, Infrastrucure and Early Recovery Concerns ...... 24 Communication ...... 25 WASH ...... 27 Shelter & NFIs...... 30 Health ...... 32 Nutrition ...... 33 Education ...... 35 Gender Based Violence (GBV) ...... 37 Child Protection ...... 40 Acronyms ...... 42 Annex A: Team composition ...... 44 Annex B: SADD by Upazila ...... 46 Annex C: D-Form Database ...... 48

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017

Background to the assessment

Heavy rainfalls as well as runoff from the upstream hills in India have led to early flooding of vast areas of croplands of haors and low-lying areas of northeast Bangladesh. Flooding started on 28th March and gradually affected six districts (Habiganj, Kishoreganj Moulavibazar, Netrokona, Sunamganj, and Sylhet). Rising water overflowed and breeched embankments in many places and inundated vast areas of cropland, damaging a significant number of houses and impacting the lives of more than 30% of the population of these six districts. As agricultural land in this region remains under water for a large part of the year, there is only one cropping season in the haors and this early onset flooding destroyed the 2017 crop of Boro rice (the primary crop) at its blooming stage, 20-30 days before harvest. The daily Dhaka Tribune has estimated, based on Ministry of Agriculture’s calculation, that the country may lose around 800,000 MT of Boro rice this season1. Standing water has been contaminated by rotten paddy and plant and a large number of fish and ducks have died2, although the exact cause is, as yet, unknown. Distress selling of livestock as a negative coping mechanism has already been reported. This loss of the primary crop, together with the associated loss of income for agricultural labourers and the loss of fish, will create severe food insecurity on top of the high underlying poverty in the area unless assistance is received. The Department of Disaster Management (DDM) requested this assessment which was supported by the Humanitarian Coordination Task Team (HCTT). As per HCTT’s request, the Needs Assessment Working Group (NAWG) developed a plan and presented at HCTT. With some revision the plan was adopted and a “Coordinated Needs Assessment (CNA)” was initiated under the leadership of DDM and functional coordination of CARE Bangladesh.

Key Findings: Summary

Overall impact The haor areas of northeast Bangladesh are almost entirely single cropped areas with the majority of the communities dependent solely on the boro3 rice crop cultivated from October to May. Significantly heavier rainfall and runoff from India caused early flooding across more than half the haor area, destroying the rice crop, fodder and killing fish and ducks. It is estimated4 that 4,667,000 people in 450 Unions (out of 530) in 60 Upazilas (out of 62) have been affected (to varying degrees) in the six districts of Sunamganj, Sylhet, Netrokona, Kishoreganj, Habiganj, and Moulvibazar. With 65% of its population affected, Sunamganj district is worst hit followed by Netrkona (33%) and Sylhet (25%). Approximately 21% of the population is affected in the other districts.

Situation at a glance People affected 4,667,000 (31% of population in affected area) Districts affected 6 districts (Habiganj, Kishoreganj, Moulvobazar, Netrokona, Sunamganj, Sylhet) Sunamganj is worst affected Upazilas affected 60 (out of 62) Unions affected 450 (out of 530) Deaths 105 Boro rice crop Largely destroyed (estimated to be more than 30,400 million BDT4) Fodder Serious losses Fish Serious losses due to contaminated water People affected 4,667,000 Houses damaged 28,037 Negative coping strategies Already reported reduction in food intake and in variety of food

1 http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/nation/2017/04/08/flash-flood-haors-may-worsen-rice-price-hike/ 2 Shifting the Power Needs Assessment Report, April 2017 3 Boro rice season: winter cropping season in Bangladesh extending from October to April 4 DDM, D-forms, 11 May 2017 5 NDRCC report, 11/05/2017

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017

Overall key priority needs  The priority need identified by both men and women in all 27 locations was for immediate food assistance.  Most of the communities assessed reported that almost all households in the affected areas have lost most or all their food stocks and have adopted negative coping strategies. Most have also lost a significant proportion of this season’s (i.e. this year’s) income. Negative coping strategies such as reducing food intake or selling livestock and poultry are being used. People are likely to be forced into more desperate coping strategies if alternative income or sustained assistance is not available.  Feed for livestock and assistance with livelihoods support were the second priorities in almost all locations.  In ten sites, inadequate sanitation facilities were reported as a priority. This was a key area where some difference could be noted between the male and female group responses. Women found sanitation to be more of a concern than men and this could be related to or lead to protection concerns.. Although the sample size was small, this is in line with other recent flooding events in Bangladesh.  Access to safe drinking water was identified as a priority in five of the six sites in Sylhet, but not prioritised elsewhere, although it was highlighted as an issue in half the assessed sites overall.  Health and hygiene promotion activities need to be enhanced, water purification tablets provided, and Inter- Agency Emergency Health kits prepositioned, to minimise, and respond to, the likely increase in communicable diseases usually associated with severe flooding and a breakdown in sanitation.  In the areas where shelters/houses have been damaged, or are likely to degrade in the coming monsoon period, assistance in effecting repairs (cash or materials) is a priority need. Key Sector Findings Food Security, livelihood and Income  Reduction in household income is the main impact for almost all the affected population.  Reduction in incomes has already impacted food access. The main problems identified by communities were:  Lack of food (cited as a problem in all 27 assessed sites),  Lack of cooking fuel (in 25 sites)  Poor quality of food (in 20 sites).  DDM (11 May 2017) report that over 870,000 farmers have been affected, as have the 55% of the landless population who rely on seasonal labour (and would have been anticipating work during the upcoming harvest).  The major challenges to the resumption of livelihoods were identified as lack of livelihood assets and financial resources, a lack of alternative income source and a lack of agricultural inputs. Infrastructure  Infrastructure repair (embankments and culverts and river dredging) was also identified as an area that would require external assistance. Shelter  DDM reported more than 28,000 houses to be (fully or partially) damaged across four districts (Sunamganj (68% of total), Moulvibazar (26%), Haobiganj (6%) and Sylhtet (0.07%).6  The CNA found reports to damage to housing in some areas, this appears to be localised to a few areas at this stage. As the monsoon sets in it is expected that significantly more houses will become uninhabitable.  Overcrowded shelters offering insufficient privacy was the main problem identified by women.  Despite the poor condition of some homes, displacement was not identified as an issue in the CNA.  In a few sites, people reported having insufficient materials to make property repairs and in only one site was a lack of NFIs identified as a problem. WASH  Water and sanitation coverage in some of the haor areas of NE Bangladesh remain below the basic minimum level. The water and sanitation coverage in the four districts assessed (Netrokona, Kisorganj, Sylhet, Sunamganj) is below the Bangladesh average and all four districts are ‘low performing districts’ in that coverage is not effective or uniform for all people living in the district with pockets of extreme disadvantage.

6 Moulvibazar and Haobiganj were not part of the primary data collection for the CNA because they were not considered among the 4 worst affected districts overall.

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017

 The floods have contaminated 24% of water points in Sunamganj, 18% in Sylhet, 16% in Kisoreganj, and 8% in Netrokona. 7  In just over 50% of assessed sites, communities raised the issues of having insufficient water and poor quality of drinking water.  In all except one ward communities said sanitation facilities were inadequate in terms of quality and, in the majority of sites, communities reported insufficient latrines or none at all.  The low quality of ‘unimproved’ sanitation facilities and the absence of faecal sludge management gives rise to a potential risk of skin disease and diarrhoeal disease. Although the department of public health has provided water purification inputs the likelihood of water borne diseases remains. Health  Respondents from Sylhet (100%), Sunamganj (83%), Kishoreganj (67%) and Netrokona (58%) have expressed their observation as serious health problem due to the flash flood. Skin disease, snakebite and diarrhoea have been identified by the community groups as prevailing threats in different locations of the assessment area.  Inter-Agency Emergency Health Kits (IEHK) are needed to be prepositioned to tackle the situation.  Health promotion and disease surveillance activities need to be enhanced. Nutrition  42 CGDs (at 23 of the 27 sites) reported that health including nutrition is a serious problem.  All women’s community group discussions reported that feeding/breast-feeding children under 2 years are a problem since the start of the flash flood.  The dietary and eating practices of women/girls been impacted more since the disaster than that of men and boys.  Pregnant and lactating women are not eating sufficient amounts of food.  Health of children has worsened since the disaster. Education  School attendance has been impacted. Communities report that the main reasons children are not in school are:  Parents want their children to work/help the family recover  School is inaccessible  Inability to pay fees Gender-based Violence  Physical assault was identified by community groups as the most common risk of violence confronting women and girls (23 groups out of 54), followed by debt-bondage (9 groups out of 54).  Other identified risks of gender-based violence include desertion, sex trafficking, denial of resources and opportunities, and increase in early/forced marriage linked to financial distress following disasters.  The observed absence of night lighting, unsafe access to bathing and latrine facilities, and limited accessibility to services may indicate a broader spectrum of safety and security risk in Sylhet division that was not captured by the assessment. Communication  Information needs are highest in Sunamganj  Across all affected areas there is a particular need to provide information about how to access food; as well as guidance about financial support and livelihoods.  60% of CGDs mentioned that no access to television was the main barrier of accessing information. People also mentioned no access to a newspaper (51%), no electricity (51%), no credit for a mobile phone (36%) and no access to radio (32%) as barriers of accessing information. The situation is different in different areas.

7 DPHE reported to WASH Cluster.

Overall Priority Needs 100% 1

2 50% 3 5 6 4 9 7 8

Figure 1 Overall priority needs

Total Female opinion1 Total Male opinion1 70% 70% 60% 60% 50% 50% 2 40% 2 40% 3 30% 30% 5 3 20% 5 4 6 4 0 7 6 6 20% 5 10% 10% 7 0 0% 0%

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017

Figure 2 Male Vs Female groups opinion on priority Sunamgonj Sylhet 1 1 100% 50% 80% 40% 2 3 60% 30% 2 3 4 40% 4 20% 5 6 5 20% 0 0 6 0 10% 0 0 0 0% 0%

Netrakona1 Kishorgonj 70% 1 60% 50% 70% 2 60% 40% 3 50% 2 30% 40% 3 20% 4 4 30% 0 5 0 0 10% 20% 0 4 0 0 0 4 0% 10% 0%

Figure 3 Key priority needs by district

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017

Context of the Northeast (Haor) areas of Bangladesh8

A haor is a bowl, or saucer-shaped, shallow natural depression found in Northeast Bangladesh. One of the key characteristics of the haor Haor: fast facts region is that a number of these water bodies connect during the  Natural depression of unique hydro- monsoon forming vast bodies of water. In the dry season over winter ecological characteristics water recedes again leaving a series of wetland habitats. It is a unique wetland hydro-ecological environment rich in biodiversity.  Total number of haor: 373  The Haor Basin spreads across seven districts; Sylhet, Sunamganj, Area coverage: 1.99 million ha(13.5% of country’s total land) Habiganj, Moulvibazar, Kishoreganj, Brahmanbaria and Netrokona, covering an area of 20,022 sq km. Three distinct rivers flow through  7 haor districts: Sylhet, Sunamganj, the region bringing with them an inflow of water from India. Habiganj, Moulvibazar, Kishoreganj, Bordering the Meghalaya region of India means that the haors, Brahmanbaria and Netrokona. already a region receiving the highest precipitation in the world, can  Total population: 19.37 million (12% of be exposed to huge inflow of water from across the border. Pre- national population) monsoon flash floods are the major natural disaster the region faces threatening the boro crop almost every year. Boro rice is the only  Major contribution to national economy: major crop in the haors, accounting for most of the region’s income - estimated annual production of 5.25 and providing most of its employment so the local economy is tightly million MT of rice linked to a successful harvest. On average an estimated 5.25 million - country’s 20% inland fish production, MT of rice is produced in the haors accounting for 18% of 22% cattle production and 22% duck Bangladesh’s total rice production. The region has an estimated fish production habitat area of around 967,000 ha as well as 269,005 ha of forest  Numerous aquatic and forest resources resources, valuable minerals and energy resources. including pearl mussels, migratory birds The pre-monsoon season is characterized by increasing rainfall and and numerous other ecosystem services. flash floods. The bulk of the annual rainfall occurs during the monsoon season when flash floods are regular and frequent and the central part of the Northeast Region is flooded to a depth of several meters. The post-monsoon is characterized by decreasing rainfall and the draining of water accumulated in the monsoon season. The dry season is one of little or no rain, and river inflow is greatly reduced.9

8 Haor Advocacy Platform, Position Paper, 27 April 2017 9 More info: http://www.iwmbd.org/haorweb/ 7

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017

Key Vulnerability characteristics of six affected haor districts10

Data Source Key indicators Netrokona Sunamgonj Sylhet Kishoregonj Habiganj Moulvibazar National and Year

BBS Census, Total population 2,229,642 2,467,968 3,434,188 2,911,907 2,089,001 1,919,062 14,39,25006 2011

Population in rural BBS Census, 1,970,781 2,204,389 2,672,142 2,422,998 1,844,035 1,710,983 11,04,80,514 areas 2011 BBS Census, Pop density/km2 798 659 995 1,083 792 686 1,203 2011 Gender Ratio BBS Census, 99 100 101 97 96 97 101.24 (male/female %) 2011 % of population with BBS Census, 30.2 34.0 62.9 49.6 47.7 50.8 57 electricity 2011 % HH using solid fuel 99.8 98.4 79.3 94.1 97.3 96.3 88.2 MICS, 2013 for cooking % HH Use Improved 100 99.5 83.8 100 99.2 98.9 97.9 MICS, 2013 drinking water sources % with access to 41.7 50.8 63.5 41.1 52.0 66.7 55.9 MICS, 2013 improved sanitation The World Life expectancy 70.7 yrs Bank, 2013 MSVR,BBS, Under 5 mortality/1000 56.2 91.7 66.8 24.7 50.3 45.7 42 2014 % Severely Child 30.3 26.2 20.7 20. 24.4 15.8 23.39 MICS, 2013 Stunted (MICS, 2012) % Stunted children BBS, WFP, 44 46 44 44 44 44 41.2 under 5 IFAD 2012 Maternal mortality per WHO, 2001, 220 1000 UNICEF 2010 IPC Food security IPC 2nd Moderate Severe Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate - Round Classification (CFI) Chronic % Below the upper Analysis, 35.3 26 24.1 30.3 25.3 2.7 32.3 WB, 2010 poverty line 2015, Bangladesh % Below the lower 19.5 20.6 19.5 16.4 20.1 21.1 18.4 WB, 2010 poverty line % Underweight BBS, WFP, 39 41 37 38 41 37 8.12 children under 5 years IFAD 2012 BBS Census, Literacy rates (%) 45.60 34.40 45.60 40.9 40.5 51.1 53.34 2011

Table 1: Key Indicators (source: IPC)

10 Key characteristics table prepared by IPC Bangladesh team 8

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017

Map 1: Proportion of people below lower poverty line (produced by NIRAPAD)

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017

Situation Overview

Map 2: Inundated areas of The Haor Region as at 12 May (produced by BRAC)

The impact of the flooding according to the Government of Bangladesh as at 11 May is summarised in the table below.

# of # of # of # of % of total # of Damaged Damaged Name of affected Affected Affected Affected population Damaged Cropland Crops District Upazila Union Household Population affected Houses (Hectare) (Mil BDT)

Habiganj 8 65 87,880 439,400 21% 1,746 56,560 4,751.04 Kishoreganj 13 61 152,481 609,924 21% - 61,207 8,642.43 Sunamganj 11 87 325,990 1,599,950 65% 18,969 131,285 13,128.50 Sylhet 13 105 212,520 850,080 25% 20 64,438 3,843.75 Moulvibazar 7 61 85,354 424,775 22% 7,302 21,513 1.18 Netrokona 10 71 167,180 743,494 33% - 69,710 33.94 Total 62 450 1,031,405 4,667,623 31% 28,037 404,713 30,400.83

Table 2: Key information on impact based on D-Forms of Government of Bangladesh (received 11/05/2017)

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017

Map 3: Number of total population affected by upazila (produced by NIRAPAD)

Map 4: Percentage of total population affected by upazila (produced by NIRAPAD)

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017

No Sex and Age Disaggregated Data (SADD) exists for the affected population, so the table below shows a proportional breakdown based on census data of the affected districts11. Total 0 - 19 yrs 65+ yrs Total Men Total Affected District Women F M F M Habiganj Zila 107,078 111,027 10,294 10,673 215,723 223,677 439,400

Kishoreganj Zila 145,383 150,197 15,574 16,090 299,995 309,929 609,924

Moulvibazar Zila 99,555 102,675 9,552 9,851 209,111 215,664 424,775

Netrokona Zila 176,941 178,060 20,681 20,812 370,575 372,919 743,494

Sunamganj Zila 409,689 408,283 37,435 37,306 801,351 798,599 1,599,950

Sylhet Zila 212,759 210,327 17,330 17,132 427,483 422,597 850,080

Total 1,151,405 1,160,567 110,866 111,865 2,324,238 2,343,385 4,667,623 Table 3: Sex and Age Disaggregation (SADD) of affected Population (proportionate to the census data)

Response to date by government and other stakeholders: The Government of Bangladesh has responded in many affected areas with distributions of rice and cash. 330,000 households are being given Vulnerable Group Feeding registration cards and a further 520,088 affected households will receive a GR of rice and cash and cash through the Employment Generation Program for Poorest scheme.

GR Rice (MT) GR Rice (MT) VGF

District Total Total Allocation # of allotted VGF card Allocated rice (MT) for 3 month Allocation for flood (from and 8 days (from 23 Apr to July MoDMR) 2017) @ 30 Kg

Sylhet 428 2,437,000 50,000 4,900 Habigonj 503 1,400,000 29,000 2,842 Sunamgonj 1,550 8,500,000 150,000 14,700 Moulvibazar 343 1,450,000 1,000 98 Kishoregonj 652 3,870,000 50,000 4,900 Netrakona 648 4,240,000 50,000 4,900 Total 4,124 21,897,000 330,000 32,340 Table 4: Government response as of 12 May (NDRCC Report, 13 May 2017)

BRAC:  BRAC has provided livestock feed support (ready feed, wheat bran & rice brain) to 6,500 ultra-poor households in Habigonj, Sunamgonj, Kishoregonj and Netrakona. According to their assessment these are the districts most in need.  In line with GoB initiative, BRAC distributed a relief package consisting 30 Kg rice and BDT 500 to 59,461 worst affected families in five districts (Kishoreganj, Sunamganj, Habiganj, Netrokona and Sylhet).

11 N.B. this gives the vulnerable categories as in the BBS census data. The census gives the category 0-19 years unlike some age disaggregation that is 0-18 years. Total adult population (19-65 years) can be calculated by subtracting vulnerable groups from the total. 12

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017

Dan Church Aid:  DCA Bangladesh will provide cash grant support to 1140 affected households consisting of BDT 4000 per HH in Kalmakanda Upazila and Dharmapasha Upazila under Netrokona and Sunamganj District.

Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS):  BDRCS is planning to distribute 2-week food packages to 400 affected people through its district branches in Sunamganj, Netrakona, Kishorganj and Habiganj. They will provide Food package (Rice-25 kg, Pulse-2kg, Edible Oil-2 L, Sugar-2 kg, Salt-1 kg, Suji (Semolina)-2 kg) for two weeks (the package is worth 2000 per household).

Oxfam:  Oxfam is in the process of proving support of BDT 4,000/HH through its partners in Sunamganj and Kishoreganj districts. Proposals from partner agencies have been received and are being reviewed. The number of households may increase.

Islamic Relief BD:  IRB will provide a 15-day food package (rice 20kg, dal 2kg, chhola 3kg, oil 2ltr, sugar 3kg) worth BDT 2000 to 7200 HH in Netrokona, Kishoreganj, Sunamganj and Sylhet.  IRB will also going to provide cash BDT 2000 to 1750 HH in the same districts.

Muslim Aid:  Muslim Aid will provide support in Sunamganj district of BDT 4000 per HH and a standard hygiene pack.

Aggravating Factors

Most of the challenges faced in haor region are linked to poverty. Overall district level indicators mask pockets of extreme poverty in some parts of the region and poverty is manifest in food insecurity, under nutrition and fragile housing construction materials all of which contribute to make households highly vulnerable to disasters and to circumstances such as this years’ flooding which was both earlier and more severe than expected. The continual need to deal with flash flooding events such as those recorded in 2002, 2004, 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2012 are considered as part of the reason for people’s inability to escape ongoing extreme poverty (GoB flood response plan 2014). The districts fall below the national average on a number of key indicators including access to electricity, literacy under 5 mortality (except for Kishorgonj), stunted children and underweight children (see table above)

Landlessness Hoar inhabitants are constantly at risk of major flooding. The normal level of water in the rainy season causes considerable damage every year on the island slopes as waves wash away a part of the island soil contributing to landlessness. Landlessness is a significant issue in the area with some studies finding over 70% of the population to be effectively landlessness 12. Landlessness is associated with poverty but in the haors it is also linked to this erosion of land on the hati by wave action that takes place during the wet season. The density of population in these islands is high and houses located on the edge of the islands are continually at risk of inundation and collapse so families in these homes face the on-going risk of being displaced. In severe seasons, water levels during inundations reach 1.5m above the level of the floor of the houses (JNA 2012).

Food insecurity and poor nutrition The haor basin has been identified as one of the ‘highly food insecure’ regions of the country (WFP 2004). Sunamganj has been classified in Level 4 or Severe Chronic Food Insecurity (CFI) by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), Chronic Analysis. The three other districts have been classified in moderate CFI (Level 3)13. The physical conditions of the haors together with the poor infrastructure are the root causes of the high levels of poverty in the region. (IFAD 2011).

12 P. K. Sarma, Scenario of haor vulnerabilities and other obstacles for sustainable livelihood development in Nikli Upazila, Bangladesh Agricultural University Research System (BAURES), Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh- 2202, Bangladesh.

13 Chronic Food Insecurity Situation Overview in Bangladesh, December 2015; IPC 13

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017

Even though people have adapted their lives and livelihoods to live in the Haor areas, early flash flooding can have a devastating effect as there is only one Boro crop planted annually (Haor Basin JNA 2012). Rates of stunting are highest in the Haor region, out of all the FSNSP surveillance zones, where half of the children are stunted (FSNSP, 2012, unpublished). The Haor region has a greater rate of adult malnutrition than the rest of the country (FSNSP, 2012, unpublished). So any reduction in food security can have an important effect on overall nutrition if not addressed. The timing of flooding is a critical factor in this. The 2010 flash floods occurred in April and washed away immature crops, it was estimated that in the affected areas 80% of the Boro harvest was lost (Oxfam 2010) This flooding in 2010 affected 75,000 people directly, according to EM-Dat, however, because the flooding took place in April (early) it created far greater medium term food security needs. In 2012 the flash floods occurred after the harvest and people had already secured their food, meaning there was an immediate food need (Haor Basin JNA 2012).

Infrastructure challenges Lack of markets and power supplies has limited the growth of the non-farm sector and the growth of new employment opportunities (IFAD 2011). There is very limited presence of financial institutions in the affected areas. People living in the haors face greater challenges in transportation than those in many other parts of the country. Most linking roads are submerged for six months of the year and movement is mainly only possible by boat. Motorized vehicle transportation is possible only in major towns (Haor Basin JNA 2012). Boat transport can be both expensive and dangerous depending on water conditions, naturally becoming even more challenged during floods. Women living in the haors are particularly disadvantaged and vulnerable. Lack of roads affects women and girls more than men as they find it difficult to travel by boat or walk on muddy tracks. This means they have less access to education, health services and employment, which in turn contributes to social barriers (IFAD 2011).

On-going vulnerability While flash floods are the main natural hazard people in the haors face, their on-going development is also frustrated by other hazards including arsenic contamination, erosion and storms. This multiple hazard profile only increases their vulnerability. As this is the very beginning of the rains and the monsoon can continue until September with late rains up until November even a normal monsoon (as currently predicted by South Asian Climate Outlook Forum, April 2017) can have a serious impact on lives and livelihoods.

Assessment Methodology

Overall objective: To provide a shared understanding of the impact of the Flood in North-eastern haor districts of Bangladesh

Specific objectives: To provide a shared and agreed overview of the situation in Sylhet, Sunamganj, Netrokona and Kishoreganj districts that-  Identifies priority needs  Provides approximate numbers of affected people  Identifies most severely affected geographic areas  Provides recommendations to inform strategic decisions  Gives voice to affected people

Expected Results: 1. Collection and collation of secondary data on NE flooding (including government, UN, aid agencies and other assessments or data that has been collected) 2. 54 Community Group Discussions (CGD) (27 male, 27 female groups) at 27 sites. 3. 27 Direct Observations and 27 Severity Rankings at community level by the assessment teams (1 of each per site) 4. 9 Upazila Validation Meetings with PIOs/UNOs regarding the current situation and needs. 5. Compilation of D forms provided by DDM

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017

Expected Deliverables: A. The assessment report shared with HCTT and other relevant aid stakeholders B. A power point presentation on the summary/key findings C. Static maps created using secondary and primary data D. A complete data set of primary data

Data Sources:  27 purposively selected sites in 9 upazilas across 4 districts  Male and female Community Group Discussions (CGDs) at each site, 54 CGDs in total  Direct Observation and severity ranking at each site by assessment team  Upazila validation information at each upazila conducted with government officials  D forms provided by Department of Disaster Management  Secondary Data from pre-disaster and in-disaster sources

Sampling Strategy: A purposive sampling method has been used to identify assessment areas based on what is known about this particular disaster, referring specifically to information provided in available situation reports from INGO ESC and NIRAPAD. Target # per Total target Type of Site Description Upazila (minimum) number (Villages that have direct access to roads, facilities and Mainland village 01 09 other communities without crossing any waterway) (Island villages surrounded by water but easily accessible Baro (large) hati 01 09 by boat, not far from mainland) (Island villages surrounded by water, difficult to reach and Choto (small) hati14 only accessible by boat, located far from mainland) 01 09

Total target 03 27

Geographic Targeting: The four most affected districts – Sylhet, Sunamganj, Netrokona and Kishoreganj –within these districts 27 purposively selected sites in 9 upazilas were identified as the sample for this assessment.

District Upazila Sites Sunamganj Dharmapasa 3 Jamalgonj 3 Taherpur 3 Sylhet Goainghat 3 Kanaighat 3 Netrokona Khaliajuri 3 Mohonganj 3 Kishoreganj Itna 3 MithaimoIn 3 4 Districts 9 Upazilas 27 Sites

14 Hati are villages which appear to be islands in a haor where boat is the only transportation system. Sometimes hati do not appear as islands until the rainy season. 15

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017

Timeframe:

Major Activity Start Date End Date

Planning Meeting 23-Apr 23-Apr Form the Core Group 24-Apr 30-Apr Area wise responsibility distribution Formation of field teams Finalize the methodology, sampling, TOR Finalize the Qs and translate Digitization of the Tools & Database Field Orientation sessions 1-May 2-May Field Assessment/data collection & entry 3-May 8-May Data entry (using Tab/Android phone) 3-May 8-May Review of the secondary data 3-May 8-May Primary data analysis 9-May 11-May First draft of the findings 12-May 15-May Joint Analysis meeting (finding presentation to core group) 16-May 16-May

Incorporating Feedback from core group 17-May 20-May Dissemination of the findings and report 20-May 20-May Data Collection & Data Entry: In each selected upazila three sites were chosen: one mainland village, one baro (large) hati and one chato (small hati). At each site two community group discussions (CGDs) were held to discuss the assessment questions: one comprised 30-40 males and the other 30-40 females. In addition, field teams undertook a direct observation assessment. At the upazila level, field teams met with the UNO/PIO in order to cross-check information, collect the D-form and ask other relevant questions.

Method of data Total Geographic areas Remarks collection formats 30-40 (max) male participants from different livelihood groups, CGD-01 with Male 1 elderly, PWD etc. 30-40 (max) Female participants from different livelihood groups, CGD-02 with Female 1 elderly, pregnant and lactating mothers, widow/divorced, Mainland village adolescent girl, PWD etc. Direct observation through transit work, field visit and cross Direct Observation 1 checking (if possible) Severity Ranking 1 Will be done by respective field team after completing all tasks CGD-01 with Male 1 CGD-02 with Female 1 Baro (large) hati Direct Observation 1 Severity Ranking 1 As above CGD-01 with Male 1 CGD-02 with Female 1 Choto (small) hati Direct Observation 1 Severity Ranking 1 Upazila validation with Need to cross-check CGDs information, asking few new questions Key informant interview 1 UNO/PIO as mentioned in format. Collection D-form etc.

Total formats for each Upazila 13 Each field team is requested to write down and submit any special findings/information of each discussion. District focal will also collect the compiled D-Form or GoB any response form from District level.

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017

Map 5: Upazilas covered by CNA (produced by NIRAPAD)

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017 Detailed Assessment Findings

Food Security

Baseline Sunamganj has been classified in Level 4 or Severe Chronic Food Insecurity (CFI) by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), Chronic Analysis. The three other districts have been classified in moderate CFI (Level 3)15. Food access, utilization, sanitation, caring practices and more especially poverty are the major limiting factors in the districts with higher levels of Chronic Food Insecurity. In all the four districts the status of food security outcomes - food consumption quality, quantity and under nutrition are of major concern. Limited livelihood opportunities and insufficient human, physical and financial capitals limit access to food and utilisation.

Impact and needs A review of secondary data on flooding in the haor region identified the following major impacts flash floods16:  Food stocks are damaged or destroyed.  Food security is affected through loss of crops, food stocks and agricultural inputs and equipment.  Potential disruption to markets (however these are restored quickly, in the flash floods of 2012 only one market was not re-established in the first 48 hours). Excessive rains combined with the onrush of water from the nearest Indian hills across the broader from the end of March to 5 April inundated more than 60% standing boro paddy fields in North East Bangladesh. The flood has affected daily life in the affected areas and many people have been marooned while houses, agricultural farms, and cultivable land have been inundated. Water is declining gradually but the damage to crops is irrecoverable.17 All the community groups, both men and women, reported that they currently face a problem in relation to food. By far, the most reported problem in relation to food was that households did not have enough food available, followed by concerns about fuel for cooking and quality of food. The findings were similar for both male and female CGDs and across districts18.

Overall and per gender Per district 60 20 50 15 40

30 10 per CGD per per CGD per 20 5 10 0 0 Not enough No cooking No fuel to Not good No access Not enough No cooking No fuel to Not good No access to food facilities cook with enough to markets food facilities cook with enough markets food food

Kishoreganj Netrakona Sunamganj Sylhet OVERALL MALE FEMALE

Figure 4: Main problems in relation to food. Three options were mentioned by each of the 54 FGD (12 CDGs in. Kishoreganj, 12 in Netrakona, 12 in Sylhet, and 18 in Sunamganj)

15 Chronic Food Insecurity Situation Overview in Bangladesh, December 2015; IPC 16 Pre-disaster Secondary Data, The JNA Consolidation Project, March 2014 17 INGO Emergency Sub-committee, Sitrep No: 02, April 13, 2017 18 Please note, 2 upazilas in Kishoreganj, Netrakona and Sylhet, and 3 in Sunamganj. 18

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017

Communities reported that usually, at this time of the year, a majority of the communities have food stocks expected to last more than 15 days. According to community groups now, food stocks have been mostly or completely destroyed. Insufficient food was the main problem reported in relation to food security. The main reasons for not being able to access food and other commodities in the market were that households could not afford food and commodities (reported by 51 out of 54 CGDs). Reasons given for this were: 1) prices have increased; 2) difficulty in accessing markets (16 out of 54 CGDs) due to road condition or transportation cost; 3) food and commodities are not available in the market as the supply chain has been disrupted; Women’s access to markets (women mobility) was not considered an issue, as it was reported for only one CGD.

Overall and per gender 60 50 40 30

per CGD per 20 10 0 Commodities not Food not available Difficulty accessing Cannot afford Cannot afford food others available in the in the market market (road commodities (prices have market condition or (prices have increased) transportation increased) cost)

OVERALL MALE FEMALE

Figure 5: Reasons for not being able to access essential food for all the CDGs and by gender. (Each of the 54 CGDs could mention three options)

Per District

18 16 14 12 10 8

per CDG per 6 4 2 0 Commodities not Food not available Difficulty accessing Cannot afford Cannot afford food others available in the in the market market (road commodities (prices have market condition or (prices have increased) transportation cost) increased)

Kishoreganj Netrakona Sunamganj Sylhet

Figure 6: Reasons for not being able to access essential food per district. Note the chart shows total of male and female CDGs for each district

Since the flooding began on 28th March, negative coping strategies are already being reported as households attempt to address their food needs. Eating fewer meals per day, reducing meal size, selling livestock and poultry and purchasing food on credit were reported in all districts by both male and female CGDs.

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017

OVERALL MALE FEMALE Kishoreganj Netrokona Sunamganj Sylhet Eating fewer meals per day 2.07 0.93 1.15 0.39 0.54 0.78 0.37 Eating smaller meals (reduced meal 0.98 0.52 0.46 0.19 0.26 0.24 0.30 size) Selling livestock and poultry 0.85 0.54 0.41 0.26 0.26 0.31 0.04 Purchasing food on credit 0.54 0.28 0.26 0.07 0.00 0.07 0.39 Reducing food consumption to 0.28 0.07 0.20 0.06 0.11 0.07 0.04 feed children Borrowing money at high interest 0.26 0.20 0.06 0.09 0.02 0.07 0.07

Figure 7: Main coping strategies reported by CGDs (by gender and district)

The figure above shows the more frequently reported coping strategies. Selling advance labour, migration, selling household possessions, eating less preferred food, and male family members migrating to find job opportunities were also reported but less often than those above. 23 CGDs (12 male and 9 female) reported that they have taken a new loan/credit. The 1st source is Money Lender (9 CGD), then Family/Relatives (8 CGDs) and Neighbours (5 CGDs). The interest rate has increased for around 25% of them

Livelihoods and Income

Baseline About 15 million people live in the haor region in Bangladesh. 80% of them depend for their livelihoods on boro rice cropping and fishing. The haor region produces 18% of Bangladesh’s rice and makes up of 6% of GDP. According to government statistics (2014), 55% of the population were landless with the most marginalized depending on physical labour in agriculture and fisheries. Seasonal wage labour was the main occupation for the majority people (37.5%), the second most prevalent occupation was labour on agriculture farming (27.12%)19. 20% of people work in fishing. In all four districts, the dependency on low value livelihood strategies are substantially high. Around 55% households are engaged in agriculture; one in five households have unskilled day labour and around 27% population lives below the poverty line. The limited livelihoods opportunities constrain the purchasing power of the households which, according to the IPC food security classifications fall into Level 3 (Moderate) & 4 (Severe) in Chronic Food Insecurity.20 This lack of suitable alternative livelihoods people makes people susceptible to shocks. There is very limited presence of financial institutions in the affected areas. Physical cash distribution is possible. Most of the organisations planning for a response are planning for one month of multi-purpose cash grant. Mobile money transfer is too costly and too lengthy for one instalment. Human capital is limited due to low literacy rates, lack of adult education with literacy rate at 43%. This is a strong barrier for economic development and in terms of acquiring technical skills for a better livelihood. Moreover, recurrent natural disasters such as flash floods in the haor areas frequently worsen the acute food insecurity which then impacts chronic food insecurity. In the haor areas, the most affected people are marginal farmers and day labourers. According to the GoB statistics (2014), 55% of the population is absolutely landless and the most marginalized living depends on the physical labour in agriculture field and fisheries. The seasonal wage labour was the main occupation for the majority of people (37.5%), second occupation was labour 27.12% on agriculture farming and 20% was fishing. While the potential loss of crops by farmers in the region is estimated to be around 879,360 MT, the farm labourers who are seasonally employed in these areas to harvest the rice have lost around 263,808,000 person/day work (Nirapad situation report, May 4). Therefore, Cash Grant support targeting the most affected households is recommended to help people resume their livelihoods and avoid negative coping strategies. Beside this, restoration of livelihoods is hampered due to lack of livelihood assets and financial resources to the affected people. The early restoration of livelihoods and productive assets are essential steps towards recovery for the disaster-

19 Seasonal labour is predominantly for the harvest (and therefore time sensitive) while agricultural labour is the routine maintenance (weeding etc.) 20 IPC Chronic Food Insecurity Situation in 10 districts of Bangladesh - December 2015-2018/20 20

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017 affected communities. This has been particularly important and urgent for the affected population who are heavily dependent on the agriculture and day labouring (both agriculture and non-agriculture). The affected people need to wait for rehabilitation of roads and bridges, and prepare the land for the next agricultural season. Therefore, rehabilitation of community infrastructure using local labour could help create alternative income sources for the affected people.

Impact and needs This year, the floods came three weeks earlier than usual. An estimated 404,713 ha of croplands ready for harvesting and 305 tons of fodder for livestock was destroyed, and 2 thousand metric tons of fish and thousands of ducks have died21. 877,171 farmers have been affected. The estimated damage to crops is over 30 billion BDT22. It is estimated that 263,808,000 days of seasonal daily labour on the harvest have been lost. (Nirapad situation report, May 4). Large numbers of people who reside in the worst affected upazilas have incomes based on agriculture and fishing activities, including daily labourers. When asked about the main occupations of the people at the site, 43 CGDs reported day labour (agricultural and non-agricultural), 42 CGDs reported marginal/small famers, 27 groups reported day labour for fishing and 15 CGDs reported livestock. Most of the people have multiple activities. In the haor areas, the most affected people are marginal farmers and day labourers. All community groups reported loss of livelihoods. These people have been seriously impacted by the floods. The most impacted livelihood groups are the small and marginal farmers (52 of CGDs reported this group to be impacted), agricultural day labour (48 CGDs), medium & big farmers (40 CGDs), fishermen (35 CGDs) and non- agricultural day labour (24 GCDs).

The main impact on agriculture is on boro rice, which was considered severe23 by all the 54 CGDs, followed by fodder for 46 CGDs, then fisheries and then livestock. The reported likely impacts of this crop damage on immediate and long term household food security will be no seed for cultivation of next crop (54 CGDs), no food stock for next 3 months (52 CDGs) and loss of secure income (51 CGDs). Across all districts, community groups expressed concern over how long it would take to resume livelihood activities. 51 CGDs (out of a total of 54) mentioned that their previous livelihood activities were expected to resume after 3 months or more.

Major Challenges for Resumption of Livelihoods 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Kishoreganj Netrakona Sunamganj Sylhet

Lack of Agricultural inputs Lack of alternative source of income Lack of financial resources Lack of infrastructure Livelihood assets and financial resources

Figure 8: Major challenges related to livelihood resumption in the flood affected areas

The majority of both male and female CGDs reported that food, fodder, agricultural subsidy and agricultural inputs were priority needs for in restoring food and livelihood status over the next six months. Agricultural inputs were specified as

21 Department of Disaster Management (DDM), Department of Agriculture Extension and Department of Fisheries 22 DDM 23 Explanation of severity: Severe damage- 50% damaged; Moderate damage- 20-50% damaged; Least damaged- less than 20% damaged

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017 seed (homestead, rice), fertilizer, fishing equipment (boat, fishing net) and cash support. Alternative income generating activities, and market stabilisation were also seen as needs of the affected communities along with infrastructure repairs including the reconstruction of embankments and culverts, opening of the water body and river dredging.

Map 6: Hectares of crop land affected Upazila wise (produced by NIRAPAD)

Map 3: Proportion of cropland affected Upazila wise (produced by NIRAPAD)

Response information

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017

The Government of Bangladesh has targeted 330,000 households to provide Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) registration cards. Under this social safety net, each family receives 30 kg rice and cash 500 BDT every month until the next harvesting season (March 2018). The remaining 520,088 affected households will receive a GR of rice and cash and cash through the Employment Generation Program for Poorest scheme. BRAC has responded by providing fodder, rice and cash (same package for cash as the GoB). A few INGOs are planning to respond.

Food security and livelihoods response lessons learnt:  In 2012 in after the flash floods in Sylhet all the markets were functional again very quickly as is the usual pattern in Bangladesh after a disaster. This implies that if affected households are given cash grants, they can access all the survival materials.  In flash flood prone areas farmers use raised seedbeds which will have had a significant impact in preventing losses24 so this needs to be investigated.

Recommendations Immediate response:  Multi-Purpose Cash Grant (1st choice) o Area: all affected districts, only affected upazilas and unions o Selection criteria: as defined in the MPCG guideline25 o Exclusion of HH targeted by GoB o Duration: 4-5 months  Other proposed recommendations: o Emergency School Feeding in the flood affected schools o Fodder and other animal food for the livestock o Destocking of animal, at the price before the floods Early Recovery/medium to longer term response  Alternate Income Generating Activities  Cash for work to support food assistance (after the monsoon) and infrastructure rehabilitation – should not compete with agricultural seasonal activities  Longer term programme in livelihood with a study to explore the various livelihoods options existing and potential opportunities Advocacy  Advocacy issues can be addressed through the Haor Advocacy Platform (HAP)  Crop insurance  Cancellation of lease of water bodies for one year  Soft loan for the most vulnerable  Diversification of rice varieties: traditional, shorter term, flood immerged Monitoring  Market prices and market stabilization  GoB suspension of loan repayment

Information gaps and recommended assessments  No additional assessment. Communities mentioned their fatigue of assessment without any support  Sectoral assessment to be determined at a later stage based on the situation  Points selling Open Market Sales (OMS) rice and flour have not been adequately stocked. The OMS operation that began on 9 April failed to take into account how many ultra-poor families26 were affected in the region. Additionally, allegations have arisen that unscrupulous middlemen are selling off OMS rice to local restaurants (The Daily Star, April 26). Proper headcount of ultra-poor households that have been affected must be calculated and relief distribution must be monitored.

24 Sylhet JNA 2012 25 See http://www.cashlearning.org/downloads/guidelines-on-mpg--final--april-24-2017-1.pdf 26 Defined as the group of people who eat below 80% of their energy requirements despite spending at least 80% of income on food. 23

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017 Market access

 There was a market observed in most of the sites visited27 or located nearby (22 sites out of 27). Almost of all of the markets were functioning (21 sites out of 22) with sufficient quantity and variety of food available (15 sites out of 21); four sites did not normally have markets and in two sites the markets were not functioning. Assessment teams found that prices in 26 markets had increased: 17 sites by 10-20% and prices in 8 by more than 20%. Access to market is an issue for 16 Community Group Discussion (CGDs, 6 male and 10 female).

Access, Infrastrucure and Early Recovery Concerns

Key findings  Marginal farmers and agricultural and non-agricultural labourers are found as the most affected section of the population, therefore, Cash Assistance targeting the most affected households is recommended to help people resume their livelihoods and avoid negative coping strategies. Approximately 72% of assessed population stated inability to resume their main income generating activities due to lack of livelihood assets and financial resources.  Community infrastructure is one of the major challenges for response and recovery interventions. Cash for Work (CFW), Food for Work (FFW) and other safety net programmes is recommended to rehabilitate essential community infrastructures including roads, culverts and embankments with the deployment of local labourers to support early recovery of affected community. Timing for CFW, FFW needs to consider labour demand for upcoming agriculture season.  Build Back Better approach should be considered during repairing and rehabilitating community infrastructure considering the existing vulnerabilities of the affected areas. Linking early recovery resources and interventions (such as cash/food for work) to shelter reconstruction will provide added advantage and should be considered, therefore.

Community infrastructure Access and transport is a major issue in the haor area. Most linking roads were submerged at the time of the assessment and movement is mainly only possible by boat. Lack of transportation is hampering response activities and recovery of livelihoods, education, health and other sectors. Construction and reconstruction of essential community infrastructure is emphasized for early recovery of communities and the local economy. Deployment of local labours during repairing and rehabilitation of essential community infrastructures will be an important way to increase employment opportunities of the affected people and promote recovery of affected communities. A build Back Better approach also needs to be considered along with how to best address the existing vulnerabilities of the affected areas.

Recommendations Short Term Recommendation (Off-Farm Livelihoods)  Off-Farm livelihood inputs and cash support to the affected families for resumption of livelihoods  Cash for training for off-farm livelihood interventions Mid-Term Recommendation (Community Infrastructure)  Reconstruction and repair of community infrastructures (such as roads and embankments) using local labourers  Creation of alternative income generation opportunities.  Raising school grounds, graveyards and bazars which can also uses as community place  Slope protection to save community infrastructure from wave action  Capacity building of local community for regular operation of cross drainage structures  Introduce green technology for protection from wave erosion

27 From the Direct Observation questionnaire 24

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017

Long-Term Recommendation (Governance & protection)  Advocacy to ensure linkages of government safety-net programme for reconstruction of large infrastructure projects  Awareness building and training of the affected communities on alternative livelihood options and enhance diversified and resilient livelihood opportunities of the most affected HHs through cash grants, asset transfer.  Develop DRR and climate adaptive plan for Haor region  Policy intervention for bridging the Haor master plan with 100 yrs Delta plan for better effectiveness  Launch Advocacy, awareness and capacity building parallel to the recovery and reconstruction interventions, directly connected to the related activities of resilient house building techniques, sustainable livelihoods through long term planning and use of disaster/climate resilient crops and farming practices.  ADVOCACY with local administration in closely association with HAP for information aid/ Local rep. /community rep. in PIC  Strengthen flood early warning dissimination system by linking with existing mechanism  Establishment of multi sectoral coordination mechanism for effective governance system relating to early recovery

Government’s Response and Gaps: In addition to the Government’s targeting under the VGF and GR schemes, households not included in these safety nets may be included in the Employment Generation Program for Poorest scheme and may be eligible for C. I. sheet and cash for housing support. . Notably, the affected people who are under VGF will be excluded from Open Market Sale (OMS) and Gratuitous Relief (GR). There is still gaps where sectoral response is required for complementing government efforts as the support is not adequate to meet the basic needs and to compensate the loss of employment of the agricultural labourers.

Lessons Learned from past floods in the area In 2012 Flash Floods, affected five upazilas of Sunamganj district. The three most severely affected were Bishwambarpur, Dowarabazar and Chhatak of Sunamganj Sadar with Thaipur being moderately affected. 318,000 people were partially or severely affected by the flood, 13% of the total population, and. 55,000 people were displaced (around 10,000 households). In 2010 early flash floods, almost all the low-lying areas of the Jagannathpur Upazila, in the Sunamganj district was under water and a significant number of families suffered from food crisis (IFRC 2010).

Information Gaps and Recommended Assessment More information is required to determine if people are displaced and if so, what numbers of displacement are. The limited information about response to date may indicate that this is presenting an incomplete picture. Farmers and activists believe that the measures taken in regards to the interest on bank loans and distribution of fertilizer, seeds, and other agricultural components will not provide farmers with the means to live until the next harvest season.28 Specific needs assessment is required.

Communication

Information is a right that enables people to claim other rights. Access to information allows a community’s own recovery plan to drive the recovery process. It is essential, therefore, that an affected population can receive useful information.

Key findings Information needs are highest in Sunamganj, with a particular need (across the affected areas) to provide information about how to access food; as well as general information about the situation and guidance about how to access financial support and find work. Television remains a functional channel in Kishoreganj and Netrokona and is the primary mechanism for communities to get information in those districts, with mobile phones also an important channel. This is not the case in Sylhet and

28 The Daily Star, May 6 25

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017

Sunamganj, where access and electricity barriers mean that face-to-face channels are the primary way that communities are currently accessing information. It is likely that infrastructure damage to roads and embankments is making face-to- face communication difficult in those areas.

Secondary data review

Outside of disaster periods29, television is generally the most popular source of news and entertainment in Bangladesh. Television access is high in both Sylhet division (86% of rural populations have access) and Dhaka division (80%)30. People in rural Sylhet mostly rely on BTV and are the least likely of all divisions to watch cable and satellite television (46%, national average 67%). Over 90% of viewers in rural areas in Sylhet and Dhaka divisions consider television to be a trusted source of information. Sylhet division also has the highest newspaper readership in Bangladesh (26% of rural people). Almost all people (96% in rural Sylhet; 93% in rural Dhaka) have access to a mobile phone. Radio use in rural areas is low (16% in Sylhet rural, 13% in Dhaka rural). These figures are averages: women and marginalised groups are generally less likely to have access to reliable communication and media channels.

Primary data analysis Results from the current needs assessment suggest that sources of information vary across the affected area, with communities in Kishoreganj and Netrokona relying more on television, while communities in Sunamganj and Sylhet are more reliant on information passed on by friends, family, neighbours or local government officials. The use of television as a source of information has reduced slightly in Kishoreganj, but remained steady in other areas. Use of mobile phones as an information source has slightly increased in Kishoreganj and Netrokona, but decreased slightly in Sylhet. Word-of-mouth has become a more important source of information in Sylhet, where 75% of the communities said that information from either friends, family, neighbours or local government officials was currently the primary source of information. Most of the communities interviewed needed information about getting food (74% - high in all districts, but highest in Sunamganj). People were also concerned about receiving more general news on what was happening (53% - particularly high in Sylhet and Sunamganj). Moreover, they want to know how to get money/financial support, weather information, how to find work and how to register for aid. Information needs appeared to be highest in Sunamganj.

Mobile District Television Word-of-mouth Local government (voice & SMS) Before Now Before Now Before Now Before Now Kishoreganj 67% 58% 8% 8% 17% 25% 0% 0% Netrokona 67% 67% 8% 8% 17% 25% 8% 0% Sunamganj 33% 33% 33% 33% 17% 17% 11% 11% Sylhet 17% 17% 33% 50% 17% 8% 33% 25%

Table 5: Changes in information sources before and after the floods (top four sources only)

Among the communities interviewed, 60% of CGDs District Most prevalent barrier mentioned that no access to television was the main barrier of accessing information. People also Kishoreganj No access to newspaper mentioned no access to a newspaper (51%), no Netrokona No access to newspaper; no phone credit electricity (51%), no credit for a mobile phone (36%) Sunamganj No access to television; no electricity and no access to radio (32%) as barriers of accessing information. The situation is different in different Sylhet No access to television areas, as shown in Table 6: Barriers to accessing information Table 6: Barriers to accessing information

This suggests that, generally, the two districts reporting using television as a primary source of information (Kishoreganj and Netrokona) are still able to maintain their access to this information source, at least to some extent; while lack of access to television and electricity are leading communities in Sunamganj and Sylhet to rely more on face-to-face

29 All secondary media usage data drawn from Nielsen Media & Demographic Survey 2015 30 2015 figures pre-dated the formation of Mymensingh division – so secondary data for Dhaka division includes both Netrokona and Kishoreganj 26

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017 information channels. The situation resonates with that found following previous flooding events31, with people relying more on word of mouth and information from local leaders and less on electronic media. It should be noted that a small but significant minority of communities also reported that illiterate people or those with certain disabilities were experiencing difficulties in accessing information. Most of the communities interviewed reported that earthen roads and embankments were damaged. Particularly in Sunamganj and Sylhet, where communities are more reliant on face-to-face communication, this is likely to be a further barrier to effective communication.

Recommendations The communications channels that are reported to be functional and preferred by communities should be employed to deliver key information, to seek communities’ input about future needs and to provide information to help design any response. At the same time, support to rebuild non-functional communications channels should also be considered. Shongjog (the multi-stakeholder platform for communication with communities) is well placed to help coordinate these activities. In particular, responders should consider:  Ensuring that information provided to affected communities through existing primary channels (television in Kishoreganj and Netrokona; face-to-face channels in Sunamganj and Sylhet) is consistent, useful and easy to understand (including for those people who cannot read or who have disabilities which prevent them from accessing mainstream information channels).  Provide support and advice to television broadcasters, so that communities who still have access to television are provided with practical and actionable information through this preferred channel.  Explore the creation of additional face-to-face communication aids (leaflets, posters, recordings for rickshaw- announcements, community-level events, etc) for use by relief providers and local government officials in Sunamganj and Sylhet, taking into account potential physical access difficulties caused by road and embankment damage.  Ensure that communications with affected communities focus on the information needs identified, particularly supporting people to access food. If resources are limited, concentrate initially on Sunamganj, where information needs appear to be highest.  Consider support to restore and/or supplement the provision and distribution of newspapers / printed information in Kishoreganj and Netrokona; and television in Sylhet and Sunamganj (perhaps by supporting community screenings).

WASH

National water and sanitation coverage in Bangladesh has improved significantly over the last few years, but there are pockets that have received very little attention due to their geophysical, socio-cultural and economic situation. The haor area is one the pocket with very little infrastructural development and road communication network. Water and sanitation coverage in haor areas remain significantly below the basic minimum level. Water and sanitation development is challenging in this area because of the particular geographical, hydro-geological and social setting. The water and sanitation coverage of the worst affected four districts (Netrokona, Kisorganj, Sylhet, Sunamganj), is on average not much lower than the Bangladesh national average. However, in terms of effective coverage of safe water and sanitation, all four districts are known as low performing districts32 because of the significant disparities within them. In the

31 HCTT Joint Needs Assessment, Flash Floods in Cox’s Bazar, Bandarban and Chittagong Districts June-July 2015, published 14 July 2015 32 UNICEF District Equity Profile 2015 Effective Water Coverage: % of households using at least 20 liters/person/day round the year from a water point within 150 m that meets national drinking water standards for arsenic and fecal coliforms Effective Sanitation Coverage: % of households using an improved functional latrine which is within 20m of the HH and which is clean, functional and accessible by all members of the household (over 5 years of age) all year round, which has handwashing facilities (water and soap ) available inside or within 5m of the latrine Netrokona: Water Coverage 100%; Effective Water Coverage 2%; Improved Sanitation Coverage: 27%, Effective Sanitation Coverage: 2%; Sylhet: Water Coverage 75%, Effective Water Coverage 24%; Improved Sanitation Coverage 47%, Effective Sanitation Coverage 10%; Sunamganj: Water Coverage 98%; Effective Water Coverage 5%; Improved Sanitation Coverage 60%, Effective Sanitation Coverage 6% 27

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017 context of on-going development in Bangladesh these four districts are known as a WASH hard to reach area, further challenged by the presence of arsenic in the water table. The current flood situation makes the WASH situation worse. An internal report of Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE), shared with the WASH cluster, shows 16% of water points affected in Kisorganj, 24% in Sunamganj, 18% in Sylhet and 8% in Netrokona. The Department of Public Health has already assisted affected communities by providing water purification tables, bleaching powder and alum to protect people from water borne diseases. However, surface water still needs to be treated in the affected areas and initiative needs to be taken to raise the tube well platforms as a risk reduction initiative for the upcoming monsoon season. DPHE noted that sanitation facilities remain unimproved in the haor regions and there is no proper faecal sludge management process, putting people at risk of skin diseases and diarrhoeal diseases. Primary data from the community group discussions was used to analyse WASH-related risk factors based on the Sphere minimum standards. The assessment found that the conditions in all four districts assessed did not meet multiple Sphere minimum standards and indicators: Drinking Water Sources  Water Quantity: out of 54 community groups 32 groups mentioned there to be serious problem After Flood 52% 44% regarding drinking and cooking water at their Improve Water community. Sources Unimprove Water  All community groups reported concerns about Before Flood 78% 33% Sources water quality.  People were observed collecting their drinking water from protected water sources in 16 sites, and from Figure 9: Change in water sources used according to CDGs damaged wells in 19 sites. However there were protected water sources at all sites except one; Gowain in Sylhet.  Those collecting drinking water from improved water sources, did not have safe water storage facilities at home meaning that the quality of their drinking water is compromised at point of consumption even if it is safe at point of collection.  Average water collection time has increased (as illustrated in figure 9).

 In around half the locations the water points were Time taken to collect water Less than 30 min Between 30 and 60 minutes observed to be inaccessible to older persons (in 13 More than 60 minutes sites) and or children (16 sites). In only four wards were the water sources accessible to people with disabilities. Meanwhile queues were observed at 26 of the 27 sites visited. While no strangers were observed to reported loitering around water points, 12 sites were noted to be unsafe or difficult for women and Pre-flooding Post-flooding children to access  All communities visited raised issues on sanitation Figure 10: Change in time taken to collect water according facilities. Issues regarding latrine use are shown in to 32 CDGs figure 12.

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017



Issue Regarding Sanitation Facilities

No separate toilets by gender 22 Condition is bad (not hygienic) 21 Latrines are structurally unsound 20 Toilets are not private enough 19 Structures are not disable friendly 18 Toilets are not child friendly 17 Not enough toilets/wait is too long 17 Lack of lighting (dark access at night) 15 Do not feel secure when you have to go to toilets 9 Toilets are too far from where people stay 7 No toilets 5

Figure 11: Number of sites reporting sanitation issues (out of 26 sites reporting)

Main health concerns expressed CGD  A lack of separate toilets for men and women was the most frequently noted 27 Female groups

issue. This should be considered along e

c 24 Male groups

with protection concerns. o

c 21

n i 18  All community groups reported concerns s

r 15

over diarrhoea and skin diseases. p

Diarrhoea Unsafe drinking water and s

sanitation contribute to diarrhoea and G 9

bathing in stagnant contaminated water o 6

leads to skin diseases. b 3

u 0  All community groups have hygiene N Skin disease Diarrhoea Fever ARI Birthing Access to knowledge and they reported that support / health care hygiene practice has become a challenge facilities due to shortage of hygiene materials and safe bathing places. Internal latches on latrine / bathhouse doors were observed Figure 12: Main health concerns as expressed in CGDs in only two of the 27 locations visited.  Most latrines in the four areas had pits that were left open. This promotes the breeding of flies, which increases the risk of food contamination.

Recommendations The following activities are recommended for WASH response:  Distribution of water purification table (WPT)/Alums and safe water storage containers should start immediately to ensure minimum drinking water standards.  Establish safe water sources. Rehabilitation or construction of new flood resilient improved wells for providing safe water. Where new water points are installed, location and water quality issues should be considered seriously because the northeast part of Bangladesh has a high concentration of arsenic in the water table.  Hygiene education on the dangers of animal and human faecal matter, ways in which it may be inadvertently ingested by humans, and ways to minimize these dangers. Behaviour change is essential for the short and long term reduction of morbidity. The hygiene messages will be in accordance with national initiatives.  Increase the number of flood resilient latrines and improve existing latrines in accordance with national initiatives (i.e. Community Led Total Sanitation - CLTS). Most villages have some latrines, so the motivation to use them exists at least to a small degree. However, many people are defecating beside their homes and in abandoned structures so more latrines are needed to reduce open defecation.

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017

 Train and equip local people in maintaining water structures and latrines. Functioning water and sanitation committees need to be established in cooperation with the local Government to oversee every water structure and latrine.  These activities are best implemented as a package since most villages show multiple WASH risk factors. However, the package should be adapted to the specific circumstances of each village to better meet needs as well as streamline costs.

Shelter & NFIs

The primary data collection assessed the shelter and NFI needs in 27 sites in 9 Upazilas across the four worst affected districts. People were mostly found living in their original place of abode. However, most of the houses were found to be partially damaged; indicating the necessity for immediate repair.

Secondary Data Review  Excessive rains and the onrush of water from the nearest Indian hills across the broader from end of March to 5 April, 2017 inundated standing boro paddy by +60% fields in North East region in Bangladesh. Flood has affected daily life in the affected areas and many people have been marooned in rainwater while houses, agricultural farms, cultivable land have been inundated. Notable that water is declining gradually but damage to crop is already done thoroughly. (INGO Emergency Sub-committee, Situation Report No: 02, April 13, 2017)  There are a limited and insufficient number of flood shelters in the Haor (Haor Basin JNA 2012). The capacity of these flood shelters is generally sufficient to hold 10-15 families in each.  These flood shelters are inaccessible for most of the Haor residents because they are located a considerable distance from where they live. In case of major inundations, most families temporarily migrate to nearby schools often staying for several weeks. They usually face severe food shortages and serious issues related to WASH. (Haor Basin JNA 2012)  The flash flooding season begins before the monsoon, therefore people who experience damage to their houses during this time are exposed during the monsoon season unless repairs can be managed quickly.  In 2012, it was estimated 3,000 shelters were destroyed or partially destroyed as a result of the flash flooding. (Haor Basin JNA 2012)  According to census 2011, more than 70% of houses in Netrakona, Kishoregonj and Sunamganj are Katcha houses (Houses made from mud, thatch, or other low-quality materials). On the other hand, in Sylhet approximately 22% houses and in Moulvibazar approximately 18% are Pucka houses (Houses made with high quality materials throughout, including the floor, roof, and exterior walls)

Sylhet

Moulvibazar

Habiganj

Sunamganj

Netrakona

Kishoregonj

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 Pucca Semi-pucka Katcha Jhupri

Figure 13: Census 2011: Average Percentage of Type of House Structure

Primary Data Review

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017

On 11th May, DDM shared an updated D form where; 28,037 houses were reported as damaged in four districts (Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, Hobiganj and Sylhtet). Approximately 68% of total damage houses were reported in Sunamganj and 26 % of total damaged houses were reported in Moulavibazar districts.

Number Number of Number of Number of of Name of District Affected Affected Affected Houses Affected Households Population (fully or Partially) Upazila Habiganj 8 87,880 439,400 1,746 Kishoreganj 13 152,481 609,924 0 Moulvibazar 7 85,354 424,775 7,302 Netrokona 10 167,180 743,494 0 Sunamganj 11 325,990 1,599,950 18,969 Sylhet 13 212,520 850,080 20 Total 62 1,031,405 4,667,623 28,037

Table 7: D Form, shared by DDM on 11th April 2017

The assessment teams reported that damaged houses did not appear to provide adequate protection from the weather condition as well. It is also reported that due to non-availability of cash affected families are unable to start rebuilding their house. Apart from this, in general there is a few displaced people have been noticed in union Nandirgaon under Kanaighat Upazila. These people are staying with host families at this moment. Information is not available on the number of people displaced

Recommendations:  Emergency Shelter support (Referring to Emergency shelter packages of Bangladesh shelter cluster) is recommended for those who have lost their house either fully or partially.  Inclusion of vulnerable groups including female headed households, disabled, older persons and the landless need to be consider during delivery of shelter assistance.  Emphasis should be given to the use of cash grant and local resources, including labour and materials, during any shelter related intervention.  During recovery phase provide shelter assistance to affected HHs to rebuild their damaged houses through Cash grant, supply of materials, tools and training. In case of new shelter construction, provide technical support and training to incorporate resilient features in house design.  In case of rebuilding of houses in new locations, sites should be assessed so that, as far as possible, building takes place on areas that are free of the risk from further flooding and erosion.

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017 Health

Media reports indicate that the incidence of water borne diseases such as diarrhoea, dysentery and skin diseases are increasing as water is rotten due to submerge of crops fields. All the health facilities are functioning and there is not significant change in reaching health care facilities before and after the flood. Water Purification Tablets may be required in bulk volume to prevent water borne diseases in the affected community. Further, there are concerns for skin diseases which may result from bathing in stagnant contaminated water and would require adequate intervention. All respondents (100%) are concern about the health problems impending as a result of the disaster and more than three-quarter (78%) Figure 14: Health problems reported by CGDs identified it as serious problem. The response is not equally distributed along the districts. Respondents from Sylhet (100%), Sunamganj (83%), Kishoreganj (67%) and Netrokona (58%) have expressed their observation as serious health problem due to the flood. The affected population has limited awareness of the health consequences that are usually imminent following any flood. But still, skin disease, snakebite and diarrhoea have been identified (as in the figure) by the community people as prevailing threats in different locations of the assessment area.

Response information  ‘National Health Crisis Management Centre (NHCMC) and Control Room’ of DGHS has been closely monitoring health situation 24/7 since 06 May 2017 in the affected districts.  All Civil Surgeon Offices have been instructed to take necessary steps including activation of local Control Rooms in the flood-affected areas and to keep operational round the clock.  Between 7 to 17 May, 8 deaths have been recorded. These were from drowning (5 deaths), and lightening strikes (3 deaths). Recorded incidence of communicable diseases are yet to rise significantly but necessary preparations, such as allocating Figure 15: AWD trends in affected areas manpower and emergency drugs, are required to prepare for the expected increase of communicable diseases that is expected within a very short time.  The National Health Crisis Management Centre (NHCMC) and Control Room of DGHS is collecting data on morbidity and mortality from communicable diseases and associated health risks that include Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD), Respiratory Tract Infection (RTI), skin diseases, eye infections, drowning, snakebite, lightning strikes and other risk factors.

 As of 17 May 2017, 657 Medical Teams have been activated in the affected areas to serve in 164 unions of 36 upazilas of 6 affected districts.

District Total Affected Total Unions Affected Activated Medical Upazilas Upazilas Union Teams

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017

Kishoreganj 13 12 110 21 124 Netrokona 10 3 86 18 98 Moulvobazar 7 5 67 12 63 Sylhet 12 3 99 13 148 Sunamganj 11 11 88 87 128 Habiganj 8 2 77 13 96 Total 61 36 527 164 657

Table 8: Activated medical teams (Source: National Health Crisis Management Centre (NHCMC) and Control Room)

 Current supplies of emergency drugs (ORS, WPT, IV saline, anti-snake venom, antibiotics and other necessary drugs) in the hospitals of affected districts and Upazilas are adequate as prepositioned emergency drugs (supplied by WHO) are being used to maintain the buffer stock.  WHO and health cluster partners are closely monitoring the overall situation in collaboration with the National Health Crisis Management Centre.  On behalf of the health cluster, WHO is maintaining close cooperation with the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and local health authorities to address evolving needs.

Recommendations  About 200 Inter-Agency Emergency Health Kits (IEHK) need (considering the attack rate will not exceed 5% among the affected population) to be prepositioned to tackle the situation.  These supplies need to be prepositioned at Sylhet and Mymensingh division Medical Sub-Depot (MSD) for distribution according to requirement.  Health promotion and disease surveillance activities need to be enhanced.

Nutrition

Baseline In Bangladesh a total of 36% of children under 5 are stunted, 14% are wasted, and 33% are underweight. While the level of stunting declined by 5% in the last three years, the prevalence of wasting – which increased from 15% in 2004 to 17% in 2007 – has barely declined since then. The prevalence of underweight children has fallen from 43 % in 2004 to 33% in 2014. Nevertheless, stunting and wasting rates are still classified as high according to World Health Organization thresholds, while underweight is considered very high. At the same time, the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2014 shows a worrisome decline in exclusive breastfeeding, from 64% (BDHS 2011) to 55% (BDHS 2014). Although Bangladesh has reached the target (50%) set by the World Health Assembly (WHA), the decline in both exclusive breastfeeding and continued breastfeeding at age 2 years (from 90% in 2011 to 87% in 2014), as well as sup-optimal early initiation of breastfeeding, at only 51%, remain critical challenges in addressing childhood stunting and wasting.

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017

Figure 16: Nutritional Status of Under 5 Children in Figure17: IYCF Practices among children (6-23 months) in Bangladesh Bangladesh

Sunamganj has been classified in Level 4 or severe Chronic Food Insecurity (CFI) by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Chronic Analysis. The three other affected districts have been classified in moderate CFI (Level 3)33. Food access, utilization, sanitation, caring practices and more especially poverty are the major limiting factors in the districts with higher levels of Chronic Food Insecurity. Overall 60 to 75% of the children and women in these districts consume inadequate and less diverse diet. Stunting rate in children under five is high between 30-50%. Average stunting rate is high in haor districts (46%) above the national rate of 36%. A rate of stunting is classified by the WHO as having a very high significant on public health.

Impact and needs  42 CGDs (at 23 of the 27 sites) reported that health including nutrition is a serious problem.  Diarrhoeal disease was mentioned as one of the main health concerns by 36 CDGs.  All women’s community group discussions reported that feeding/breast-feeding children under 2 years are a problem since the start of the flood.  The dietary and eating practices of women/girls been impacted more since the disaster than that of men and boys.  Pregnant and lactating women are not eating sufficient amounts of food  Health of children has worsened since the disaster All the community groups, both men and women, reported that they currently face a problem in relation to health and nutrition. The most reported heath concerns are fever (90%), diarrheal diseases (86%) and skin diseases (83%). Diarrheal diseases have immediate impact on pregnant, lactating women and under 5 years children. Communities identified feeding/breast-feeding children under 2 years are a problem since disaster. In 25 of the 27 female CGDs women reported a decrease in breast feeding, while a decrease in meal frequency for children was mentioned in 26 CGDs, and a lack of usual foods for children in 25, and lack of time to feed and care for young children in three. In this situation children under 2 years are most vulnerable.34

33 Chronic Food Insecurity Situation Overview in Bangladesh, December 2015; IPC 34 Child nutrition in the first 2 years of life and more particularly the incidence of chronic under nutrition during this period has irreversible consequences on the physical and cognitive development of children limiting the human and economic potential of a nation. 34

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017

Reported problems with feeding/breastfeeding chidren under 2 years Impact on dietry and eating practices of women/girls

27 27

m m

e e l 24 l b b 24

o o

r r

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u Lack of private Decrease in Decrease in meal Lack of usual foods Lack of time u N space (to breast breastfeeding frequency for for children under N 0 feed) children 2 Eating less variety Easting smaller portions Eating less frequently No change

Figure 18: Impact of floods on feeding of children as reported by female CGDs

The dietary and eating practices of women/girls been impacted more since the disaster than that of men and boys. 17 female CGDs reported that they are eating less variety, 23 reported eating smaller portions, 17 reported that they are eating less frequently and only 3 reported no change. Most communities report usually having food stocks at this time of the year. Of the communities who report having food stock, one or both CGD in 24 sites expect these to last more than 15 days. However, every CGD reported that their food stock is mostly / completely destroyed. Male Female food stock CGD Sites 5 1 < 15 days 6 6 sites 4 10 15 days – one month 14 11 sites 24 sites 12 13 > one month 25 15 sites Table 9: Food stock reported by CGDs

Most alarming is 53 groups reported that pregnant or lactating women are not eating sufficient amounts of food. 51 groups reported that health of children has worsened since the disaster. Among these 13 groups reported mental-being is being challenged and 48 groups reported on Physical health. As highlighted in the Food Security section above, since the flooding, negative coping strategies are already being reported as households attempt to address their food needs. Eating fewer meals per day, reducing meal size, selling livestock and poultry and purchasing food on credit were reported in all districts by both male and female CGDs. Unless addressed, this will impact the nutritional status35 of the population, especially the most vulnerable.

Recommendations Because of the underlying poor nutrition status in the area there are concerns that Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM), Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) and Sever Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and stunting will increase unless the changes to food access are addressed quickly. This is especially critical for the children under the age of 2 years as under nutrition during this period has irreversible consequences on physical and cognitive development.

Information gaps and recommended assessments  Because of the community based nature of the assessment approach there are very few Nutrition related indicators addressed in the primary data.  Lack of secondary data.  Government response is not recorded.

Education

Background

35 This could be manifest in an increase in GAM, MAM and SAM. 35

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017

Affected districts have among the worst education related indicators in the country. Net intake rate in primary education is the lowest in Sunamganj district at 15.8% which is two times lower than the national target of 33.1%36. Literacy rates among young women aged 15-24 years are lowest in Habiganj, Maulvibazar, Sunamganj districts (70.3%, 74.1%, and 74.1% respectively versus a national average of 82%). Primary school attendance is also very low across the districts and ranges from lowest 63.9% in Sunamganj to 77.7% in Maulvibazar. Almost half of children in Sunamganj district don’t complete the primary education cycle.

Impact and needs Floods affect the education delivery system by damaging education infrastructure (class rooms, school latrines, tube-wells, playgrounds, teaching and learning materials) and damage to roads can cause significant reduction in the accessibility of schools. They also have an adverse impact on the learning environment as basic amenities like safe water, latrine facilities and options for recreational activities are seriously hampered. The table below represents the impact of floods on the education sector in general, these are both immediate (i.e. schools are damaged and education process suspends) as well as longer term impacts (i.e. reduced number of contact hours and subsequent low learning outcomes). Unfortunately there is a still a lack of recognition and sense of urgency about linkages between loss of contact hours due to natural disasters and academic achievements of students and in general the importance of addressing education as a part of disaster/humanitarian response. In Bangladesh, where the education system is already struggling with low learning achievements (only 25% of children in grade 5 demonstrate required competencies in Bangla and Mathematics), there is a strong need to ensure that education process disruptions during disasters are minimized.

Flash floods like any other disaster in Bangladesh trigger a “pull” factor, as children, especially from disadvantaged backgrounds, are at risk of dropping out of school to support families in recovery and income generating activities. In a study commissioned by the Education Cluster, the immediate barriers that impede access to education are highlighted.

An earlier needs assessment of the current haor flooding37 found that adolescent girls at Kahlijhuri, Netrokona mentioned that none of the students of their locality were going to school as their families were not being able to bear the cost of conveyance to school while there is scarcity of food in their families. In this CNA, 36 out of 54 community groups have mentioned that children are not attending school after the disaster while it was not the case in before disaster scenario in almost all sites.

36 Multiple indicator cluster survey 2012-2013 37 Flooding in the North-East Bangladesh, Needs assessment report, April 2017. Shifting the Power, Christian Aid and NAHAB 36

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017

Enumerators observed that children were out of school during school hours in 21 of the sites visited. In no locations were schools being used as collective centres. Analyses of the CNA data reveals that out of total 129 responses on the reasons for children not attending the school in the affected areas, 24 groups (11 female and 13 male in 16 sites) mentioned that parents want children to work; 24 groups (12 female and 12 male in 14 sites) that schools were inaccessible, 20 groups (9 female and 11 male in 12 sites) that families were unable to pay the fees and 18 groups (6 female and 12 male in 12 sites) that children needed to help their families to recover. Twelve groups (in 8 sites) also reported children being too scared to go to school as a reason for non-attendance. Response information  Directorate of Primary Education (DPE) collected preliminary data on number of schools damaged in the affected areas. This assessment found that 21 Government primary schools in Sunamganj district were damaged by the disaster. School damage, according to the preliminary assessment, are not significant and require only minor repair works. Education in Emergency block funds will be allocated by 20 May 2017 to affected schools that submitted requests. School damage assessment information for the remaining districts is being collected and verified by DPE. Recommendations  Complete comprehensive school damage assessment and allocate education in emergency block funds within PEDP3  Closely monitor situation of the attendance of children in the affected areas  Develop school level action plans on addressing the needs of children at the risk of dropping out  Undertake communication for development (CfD) campaigns to prevent children from dropping out from school Information gaps and recommended assessments  Undertake school damage assessment and allocate education in emergency block funds within PEDP3  Monitor situation of the attendance of children  Discuss at the inter-cluster forum on possibility of conditional cash transfers to keep children in school.

Gender Based Violence (GBV)

Baseline Information on the overall impact of natural disasters in Bangladesh does not include sufficient information on the incidence and nature of gender-based violence (GBV) because there is no official data collected on this and because of the inherent difficulties and sensitivities in collecting this information. Bangladesh maintains high rates of GBV prevalence. Nearly three of every five women (57.7%) have experienced some combination of physical, sexual, or emotional violence. Non-partner physical violence is highest among adolescent girls, while partner physical violence is highest among women aged 25-34 years. 38 In the aftermath of natural disasters, household stressors like damage to property and livelihoods and compromised community systems and institutions may sharply increase the incidence of pre-existing forms of violence, opportunistic sexual violence, or harmful cultural practices targeting women and girls.39 Almost half of women in Sylhet division are estimated to experience some form of physical partner violence (42.9%) in their lifetime. Approximately one in five women in the division have experienced sexual violence perpetrated by their husbands (19.8%).40 On average, only 15% of married women who earn their own income in Bangladesh have control over their earnings. Women who earn their own income are more likely to experience physical and/or sexual violence compared to non-earning women. Economic forms of partner violence have been experienced by 9 % of women in Sylhet including spouse refusal to give enough money for household expenses, refusal to provide regular pocket money, marriage in condition with giving money or property as dowry, or pressures to obtain money or belongings from relatives.41

38 Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. Violence Against Women (VAW) Survey 2015. Dhaka: BBS, 2015. 39 International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Unseen, Unheard: Gender-based Violence in Disasters, Asia Pacific Case Studies. Kuala Lumpur: IFRC, 2015. 40 Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. Violence Against Women (VAW) Survey 2015. Dhaka: BBS, 2015. 41 Ibid. 37

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017

According to a BRAC rapid assessment in March 2017, married women in flood-affected areas of Sylhet division identified desertion or divorce as practices introduced to relieve household financial destitution after disaster. Resultant urban migration of women and girls was also reported to increase the rate of sexual exploitation and abuse arising from sex trafficking and survival sex.42

Impact and Needs The majority of families have not been displaced from their homes. It was generally observed that homes are not being shared between individuals or families unknown to each other to claim refuge from the disaster. An absence of private and secure bathing and toilet facilities and night lighting was observed in the community. It remains unclear whether this insecurity resulted from the disaster, though, it may escalate safety risk in the community and contribute to factors limiting the mobility of women and girls following the flood. Out of 54 community groups43, a total of 46 groups (85% of total groups) reported that women and girls feel safe when accessing a service that exists in the community. One female community group, however, reported that there is a place in the community that women and girls feel unsafe or try to avoid suggesting that further investigation is required to determine how the disaster has contributed to the deterioration of safety in the community. Women were observed to utilise daylight hours maintaining household duties, to indicate that collecting fuel and water are among their primary preoccupations in addition to child rearing. A total of 18 groups (9 male, 9 female) from Kishorgonj and Shylet reported that since the disaster women and girls have been subject to physical abuse. This response may suggest that community groups discounted the household as a space for violence based on beliefs and attitudes normalizing intimate partner violence preceding disaster. Male and female community members in Netrokona reported that women and girls are also at heightened risk of trafficking, including forced labour and commercial sexual exploitation. Incidents in which women were denied income, property, inheritance, or access to earnings were reported by men and women in Kishorgonj, Netrokona, and Sunamgonj. A total of 28 groups (15 male, 13 female) identified adolescent girls as the group most exposed to risk of violence. Fourteen male community groups and nine female community groups reported that early and/or forced marriage as a practice in the community that is likely to increase as a result of disaster. A total of 2 community groups (1 male, 1 female) identified wedding a girl early as an effective protective mechanism against threat of violence. Other strategies identified by community groups to protect women and girls from violence since the disaster include conducting family mediation for domestic disputes, providing chaperoned movement for women and girls, and restricting mobility.

9 Physical Assault 14

9 Debt bondage 9

8 Other 7

3 Forced labor 4

1 Sexual Attack/Assault 1

1 Rape 1

1 Forced/ Early Marriage 1

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16

No. of female groups reported No. of male groups reported

42 Building Resources Across Communities. Early Flash Flood in Haors: March Flood is Still Marching. Dhaka: BRAC, 2017. 43 A community group is comprised of 20 – 30 community members, who participated in the group discussion and there are two types of community groups – male group and female group. 38

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017

Figure 19: Community Identified Forms of Violence Facing Women and Girls Since the Disaster, by Type and Gender (a total of 53 groups reported, 27 male and 26 female)

Recommendations Assessment findings reveal risks of gender-based violence including desertion, sex trafficking, denial of resources and opportunities, and increase in physical violence linked to financial distress following disaster flooding. Forced and/or early marriage was identified by community groups as a strategy for coping with the impact of livelihood losses. The reported absence of night lighting, unsafe access to bathing and latrine facilities, limited accessibility to services, and sexual violence may indicate a broader spectrum of safety and security risk in Sylhet division that was not captured by the existing data.

Recommended actions to respond to gender-based violence in the flood-affected region include the following:  Undertake further assessment utilizing data collection tools including questions regarding safety and security, risk factors for GBV, and existing support systems and services. Enumerators interviewing women and girls should be female staff trained on gender-sensitive interview techniques, basic psychological first aid, and local GBV referral mechanisms in the unlikely case of disclosure of GBV during the discussion  Strengthen the overall capacity of first responders to uphold guiding principles for working with GBV survivors. Train and sensitize staff across sectors to address GBV by improving skills in detection, listening, and referring  Integrate information regarding GBV and service availability into ongoing community programs engaging men, women, girls, and boys. Conduct information and education campaigns on sexual and reproductive health consequences of child marriage, identification of various forms of intimate partner violence including physical and sexual abuse, and risk of sexual abuse and exploitation linked with migrant labour, domestic work, and forced/bonded labour  Actively engage community leaders, groups, and youth to identify safety and security concerns and strategies to mitigate risk of GBV through community-led action. Where appropriate, build upon existing community protection mechanisms to conduct safety patrols of potential risk areas  Design commodity- and cash-based interventions in ways that minimize the risk of GBV. Transfer vouchers or cash in the female head of household’s name after assurances have been made that it will not place them at increased risk. In consultation with women, girls and other community members, ensure that the routes to be taken to distribution sites do not expose individuals to risk of violence or harassment  Implement strategies that allow women to control their assets in ways that mitigate the risk of theft or financial exploitation. Regularly consult with women loan recipients to ensure their loan is not increasing their poverty level  Increase the accessibility of health and reproductive health facilities providing GBV-related health services. Train women clinical staff and equip health facilities with the proper medicines and commodities to provide care for sexual assault, injuries and pregnancy complications from intimate partner violence, and reproductive health issues related to child marriage and early pregnancies other kinds of GBV.  In consultation with women, girls, men and boys, establish sustainable livelihoods programs aimed at increasing the economic empowerment of women and girls. Expand on-going livelihoods preparation programs targeting adolescents to include vocational education and literacy for out-of-school children, particularly girls. Ensure women have opportunities to participate in occupations that are not traditionally female-identified.  Implement strategies that maximize the accessibility of girls to education. Provide cost subsidies for school transport and/or admissions fees. Consider implementing alternative, informal, or non-traditional education programs  Involve women and girls in the development of strategies to improve safe access to water and sanitation facilities and in hygiene promotion activities

Information Gaps & Recommended Assessments Further assessment regarding gender-based violence risk in the flood-affected areas of Sylhet division should gather information currently lacking from current data including the following:  Description of the environmental and social factors enabling the types of violence identified by women as protection concerns including forced/early marriage, physical assault, and denial of access to economic resources

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017

 Clarification of the knowledge and perceptions of respondents regarding partner violence, sexual exploitation and abuse, and other forms of gender-based violence linked to harmful cultural practices including early/forced marriage  Identification of help-seeking behaviours, availability and accessibility of services, and risk reduction strategies adopted by women and girls  Clarification of the perceptions of men and women regarding early/forced marriage as either a risk reduction strategy or a risk factor for violence  Description of the constellations of power in the community that influence social outcomes for women and girls including access to resources, opportunities, or services  Identification of places in which women and girls are at greatest danger of experiencing the forms of GBV identified by the community  Inclusion of data collected directly from adolescent girls and boys (ages 14-19) regarding perceived threats to the safety and security of women and girls after disaster  Design commodity- and cash-based interventions in ways that minimize the risk of GBV  Disaggregation of data by age, sex, and disability

Child Protection

Many children have been affected after this disaster and are in danger. In 2005, “Bangladesh Health and Injury Survey” revealed that drowning is the leading cause of death for children aged 1- 17 year in Bangladesh, with approximately 18,000 children dying each year. Among them, over 12,000 are children aged 1- 4 years and 5,000 occur amongst the older age group of 5 – 17 years. The risk increases during floods and in water logged areas especially while parents are busy in search for rehabilitation provisions. Unattended and separated children are mostly at risk of violence, exploitation, abuse or neglect. During 2008 Cyclone Sidr more than 700 children became orphan losing their both parents and a total of 2200 children lost their single parent.

Primary Data Findings Following are some findings of the flash floods that show how children are impacted from protection perspectives:

District Child protection areas % of groups which reported knowing of… Kishoregonj Netrokona Sunamgonj Sylhet Children who are alone 58.3 16.7 27.8 0 Children without usual caregivers 75 50 27.8 16.7 Missing children - - - - Children sent out for work 75 66 72 0 Violence towards children 25 8 16 25 Violence against girls - - - - 40

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017

Table 10: Protection impact of the floods on children

Figure 20: Children without their usual caregiver shows that highest number of communities mentioning that they saw or heard of children who are alone in Kishoreganj (58%), Sunamganj (27.8%) and Netrakona (16.7%). The information portrays the issue of children remains unattended and on their own alone during the day time while their parents or care givers are out for work or collecting relief. This puts children at risk. The number of communities that have seen or heard of children being without usual caregivers % Children without usual caregivers is highest in Kishoreganj (75%) followed by 100.0% Netrokona (50%) and Sunamganj (27.8%). This is 75.0% 50.0% also put a threat of children being dropped out 40.7% 50.0% 27.8% from school, forced labour, forced to marriage 16.7% and also send to orphanages which is the denial 0.0% of children’s right to survival, development and Kishoreganj Netrakona Sunamganj Sylhet Total being in the family. The number of communities that heard of missing Figure 20: Children without their usual caregiver children is insignificant. 34 communities mentioned that they know children have been sent away after the disaster for various reasons. This means that these children are denied of education and are being engaged in labour force. Among the reasons they mentioned for this, the most reported one is for work to earn for the families which is highest in Kishoreganj (75%) then Sunamganj (72%) and Netrokona (66.7%). This implies that the child labour is seen as the coping mechanism to earn family livelihood and support family and to overcome the immediate needs of the family.

Reported reasons for children being sent away by distict

14 13

g 12

o 10 9 9

e 8

s 8

f 6 5

o 4

r e 4 3

m 2 2 2 2 u 1

N 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Kishoreganj Netrakona Sunamganj Sylhet

To work For their own safety For education Medical reasons No reports of children being sent away

Figure 21: Number of CDGs reporting one or more child in the community being sent away after the flooding, by district. Total CDGs in Sunamganj: 18, in other districts: 12.

Recommendations  Mechanism to monitor the situation of children in the affected areas particularly on drop out from school, engaging in child labour, child marriage, violence and children without parental or family care. Activating the Community based child Protection Committees.  Develop action plans in coordination with government and cluster on extending services to the most vulnerable children according to their needs through case management and referral.  Undertake communication for development campaigns to prevent children from being violence, dropping out from school and child marriage.  Also awareness program against early marriage, child labour at community level through government relief program. NGOs and Social welfare ministry can take initiative to hold session against child marriage and child labour among community people who will come to take relief in the centre.

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017

 Support parents through conditional cash transfer programme for keeping children in school, not to married off and withdrawal from child labour.  Education in Emergency through private tuition at para or village level until the school resume  Engage local government and school authority through tracking the children to protect the tendency of sending children by their parents for work in other places  Help line number distributed among children and women for support during relief distribution.  Interventions (i.e. child friendly spaces, floating schools, school feeding, cash for education, satellite clinic for children & women) should be initiated by the CPiE Cluster members those have existence in the area.  Advocacy with ministry of social welfare and women and children affairs to allocate fund and staff to initiate the interventions. Information gaps and recommended assessments The need of protection and vulnerabilities during disasters emerge after 3 weeks of any natural disaster. So, to understand the details information and identify the children in need of protection a detail assessment need to be conducted to prepare the intervention plan and targeting children.

Acronyms

AWD Acute Watery Diarreah BBS Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics BDT Bangladesh Taka CfD Communication for Development CFI Chronic Food Insecurity CFW Cash for Work CGD Community Group Discussion CNA Coordinated Needs Assessment CPiE Child Protection in Emergenices DDM Department of Disaster Management DGHS Director General Health Services DPE Directorate of Primary Education DPHE Department of Public Health and Education FFW Food For Work GAM Global Acute Malnutrition GBV Gender Based Violence GoB Government of Bangladesh GR Gratituous Relief HAP Haor Action Plan

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017

HCTT Humanitarian Coordination Task Team HH Household IEHK Inter-agency Emergency Health Kit IPC Intergrated Phase Classification JNA Joint Needs Assessment MAM Moderate Acute Malnutrition MPCG Multi-Purpose Cash Grant MT Metric Tonne NAWG Needs Assessment Working Group NFI Non Food Item OMS Open Market Sales RTI Respiratory Tract Infection SADD Sex Age Disaggregated Data SAM Severe Acute Malnutrition VGF Vulnerable Group Feeding WASH Water Sanitation Hygiene WPT Water Treatment Tablets

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017 Annex A: Team composition

Role Agency Name Govt. (DDM) Reaz Ahmed Advisory Committee UN (UNRCO) Henry Glorieux INGO (CWW) A. K. M. Musha

Core Group: Role Agency Name Central Chair DDM Md. Yousuf Ali Coordination Assessment Coordinator CARE Mahbubur Rahman Team Leader CWW Towhidul Islam Tarafder Team member MA Shofiul Alam Field District Focal-Sunamgonj CWW Shakil Ahmed Coordination District Focal-Sylhet IR Rakibul Hasan District Focal-Netrakona NAHAB Manik Saha District Focal-Kishoregonj Oxfam Mr. Fadrick Suvro Nath Team Leader FSC Damien Joud Team member CWW Towhidul Islam Tarafder Team member BRAC Jafar Iqbal Team member WFP Ashraful Amin Team member WHO Mohiuddin Ahmed Primary Data Team member NIRAPAD Hasina Akter Mita Analysis Team member FSC & NC Mohammad Mainul Hossain Rony Team member Oxfam Fadrick Suvro Nath Team member WV Md. Hushain Shakir Team member WV Shailajananda Ray Team member PLAN Latiful Bari Team member UNDP Abdul Awal Sarker Team Leader UNRCO Kazi Shahidur Rahman Team member FS Cluster Damien Joud Team member ER Cluster Saudia Anwer Team member WASH Cluster Syed Adnan Ibna Hakim Team member Health Cluster Mohiuddin Ahmed Secondary Data Team member Nutrition Cluster Louise Enevoldsen Review Team member Shelter Cluster Rita Petralba Team member Child Protection Cluster Shabnaaz Zahereen Team member GBV Cluster Saba Zariv Team member Logistic Cluster Emmanuel DROUHIN Team member Education Cluster Saltanat Builasheva Team Leader CARE Mahbubur Rahman Team member FSC Damien Joud Reporting Team member WASH Cluster Syed Adnan Ibna Hakim Team member UNFPA Saba Zariv Team member Oxfam Atwar Rahman

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017

Upazilla wise Agencies:

District Upazila Responsible Agency Contact Person-Name Dharmapasa AAB Nobiul Islam Sunamgonj Jamalgonj FIVDB Jayad Ahmed Taherpur WVB Ashaduzzaman Goainghat SCI S.M. Abdullah Al Mamun Sylhet Kanaighat IRW Nurul Alam Khaliajuri POPI Md. Mynul Haque Netrakona Mohonganj DAM Md. Roushon Ali Itna POPI Asma Ahkter Kishoregonj MithaimoIn Dot Bangladesh Jahangir Kabir Palash

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017 Annex B: SADD by Upazila

Sex and Age Disaggregation (SADD) of affected Population (proportionate to the census data) 0 - 19 yrs 65+ yrs Total Total Total Men F M F M Women Affected Total 1,151,405 1,160,567 110,866 111,865 2,324,238 2,343,385 4,667,623 Sylhet Zila 212,759 210,327 17,330 17,132 427,483 422,597 850,080 Balaganj (with Osmani 32,172 33,043 3,096 3,179 64,724 66,476 131,200 Nagar) Beani Bazar 19,592 20,499 1,889 1,976 40,072 41,928 82,000 Bishwanath 19,602 19,780 1,954 1,971 38,864 39,216 78,080 Companiganj 23,093 21,736 1,442 1,357 41,520 39,080 80,600 Dakshin Surma 15,651 15,745 1,422 1,431 32,203 32,397 64,600 Fenchuganj 12,056 12,666 1,039 1,091 24,383 25,617 50,000 Golapganj 15,067 15,814 1,392 1,461 30,328 31,832 62,160 Gowainghat 22,072 22,035 1,443 1,440 40,334 40,266 80,600 Jaintiapur 19,630 19,680 1,408 1,412 36,454 36,546 73,000 Kanaighat 12,027 12,523 865 901 22,536 23,464 46,000 Sylhet Sadar 5,022 4,513 371 334 11,187 10,053 21,240 Zakiganj 20,594 21,021 1,658 1,692 39,887 40,713 80,600 Sunamganj Zila 409,689 408,283 37,435 37,306 801,351 798,599 1,599,950 Bishwambarpur 20,013 20,020 1,728 1,728 37,493 37,507 75,000 Chhatak 19,865 20,039 1,700 1,715 38,367 38,703 77,070 Dakshin Sunamganj 32,883 33,565 2,961 3,023 63,358 64,672 128,030 Derai 49,101 48,467 5,408 5,338 100,649 99,351 200,000 Dharampasha 65,521 64,940 6,615 6,557 133,155 131,975 265,130 Dowarabazar 26,749 27,697 2,395 2,480 50,809 52,611 103,420 Jagannathpur 37,892 37,764 3,491 3,480 75,127 74,873 150,000 Jamalganj 41,656 40,689 3,707 3,621 81,906 80,004 161,910 Sulla 35,192 34,646 3,892 3,832 73,656 72,514 146,170 Sunamganj Sadar 32,087 32,063 2,747 2,745 62,523 62,477 125,000 Tahirpur 45,974 43,517 3,623 3,429 86,420 81,800 168,220 Netrokona Zila 176,941 178,060 20,681 20,812 370,575 372,919 743,494 Atpara 10,197 10,252 1,221 1,228 21,716 21,834 43,550 Barhatta 18,348 18,205 2,132 2,116 38,241 37,944 76,185 Durgapur 9,562 9,690 1,176 1,192 19,867 20,133 40,000 Khaliajuri 24,049 23,015 2,516 2,408 50,843 48,657 99,500 Kalmakanda 21,487 21,824 2,345 2,382 43,477 44,160 87,637 Kendua 20,360 20,987 2,636 2,717 42,579 43,888 86,467 Madan 24,882 24,547 2,583 2,549 50,689 50,006 100,695 Mohanganj 23,290 23,030 2,762 2,731 50,260 49,700 99,960 Netrokona Sadar 11,460 11,382 1,331 1,322 24,834 24,666 49,500 Purbadhala 14,288 14,709 1,665 1,714 29,565 30,435 60,000 Habiganj Zila 107,078 111,027 10,294 10,673 215,723 223,677 439,400 Ajmiriganj 15,425 15,707 1,495 1,523 30,967 31,533 62,500 Bahubal 6,902 7,028 633 644 13,774 14,026 27,800 Baniachong 44,952 46,263 4,008 4,125 87,474 90,026 177,500 Chunarughat 1,657 1,746 163 171 3,409 3,591 7,000 Habiganj Sadar 7,317 7,403 725 734 15,210 15,390 30,600 Lakhai 20,123 22,224 1,761 1,945 38,253 42,247 80,500 Madhabpur 2,988 3,127 307 322 6,108 6,392 12,500 Nabiganj 9,950 10,286 983 1,016 20,159 20,841 41,000

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017

Kishoreganj Zila 145,383 150,197 15,574 16,090 299,995 309,929 609,924 Austagram 30,186 30,986 3,120 3,203 60,351 61,949 122,300 Bajitpur 1,253 1,305 127 133 2,548 2,652 5,200 Bhairab 464 478 38 39 904 932 1,836 Hossainpur 379 393 41 43 795 825 1,620 Itna 40,586 38,914 4,327 4,149 82,347 78,953 161,300 Karimganj 10,066 10,403 1,173 1,212 20,870 21,570 42,440 Katiadi 3,202 3,467 380 412 6,741 7,299 14,040 Kishoreganj Sadar 1,184 1,207 128 131 2,523 2,573 5,096 Kuliar Char ------Mithamain 35,092 34,163 3,109 3,027 69,114 67,286 136,400 Nikli 18,123 18,052 2,090 2,082 38,021 37,871 75,892 Pakundia ------Tarail 10,597 10,777 1,245 1,266 21,716 22,084 43,800 Moulvibazar Zila 99,555 102,675 9,552 9,851 209,111 215,664 424,775 Barlekha 25,918 27,765 2,253 2,413 51,397 55,061 106,458 Juri 19,812 20,482 1,722 1,780 39,974 41,326 81,300 Kamalganj 13,779 14,171 1,473 1,515 29,547 30,389 59,936 Kulaura 18,709 19,616 1,672 1,754 38,339 40,200 78,539 Maulvibazar Sadar 5,159 5,133 517 514 11,130 11,072 22,202 Rajnagar 5,379 5,682 542 573 11,156 11,784 22,940 Sreemangal 11,928 11,974 1,182 1,186 26,649 26,751 53,400

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017 Annex C: D-Form Database Table: Upazila-Wise Damages and Loss database received through D-From on 11 May 2017

Sunamganj Name of Name of Number Number Number Number of Number Damaged Number District Upazila of of of Affected of Damaged Crops of Union Affected Affected Population Affected Crops (Amount) Affected Union Household House (Hactor) Farmers Sunamganj 9 9 25000 125000 2500 9460 946000000 23852 Sadar South 8 8 31606 128030 1430 12820 1282000000 31606 Sunamganj Derai 9 9 40000 200000 207 14904 1490400000 36811 Sullah 4 4 29234 146170 85 18160 1816000000 29234 Bishwamvarpur 5 5 15000 75000 1725 5090 509000000 13765 Sunamganj Tahirpur 7 7 33644 168220 2568 12821 1282100000 33644 Jamalganj 5 5 32382 161910 930 15757 1575700000 32382 Chhatak 13 13 15414 77070 2124 3610 361000000 15414 Jagannathpur 8 8 30000 150000 1000 9815 981500000 24666 Dharamapasha 10 10 53026 265130 3100 21063 2106300000 53026 Dowarabazar 9 9 20684 103420 3300 7785 778500000 20684 Total 11 87 87 325990 1599950 18969 131285 13128500000 315084

Sylhet Name of Name of Number Number Number Number of Number Damaged Number District Upazila of of of Affected of Damaged Crops of Union Affected Affected Population Affected Crops (Amount) Affected Union Household House (Hactor) Farmers

Balaganj 6 6 17800 71200 - 4174 257838000 7005 Osmani 8 8 15000 60000 20 5905 364785000 9935 Nagar Beanibazar 10 10 20500 82000 - 5070 300596000 8240 Bishwanath 8 8 19520 78080 - 6900 408792000 11216 6 6 20150 80600 - 4060 242380000 6590 Companiganj Fenchuganj 5 5 12500 50000 - 2420 144408000 3940 Sylhet Golapganj 11 11 15540 62160 - 5400 317908000 8809 Gowainghat 9 9 20150 80600 - 8217 483790000 13394 Jaintiapur 6 6 18250 73000 - 4507 268818000 7304 Kanaighat 9 9 11500 46000 - 3010 179500000 4880 8 8 5310 21240 - 4075 237786000 6684 Sylhet Sadar Zakiganj 9 9 20150 80600 - 6030 358884000 9780 10 10 16150 64600 - 4670 278264000 7576 South Surma Total 13 105 105 212520 850080 20 64438 3843749000 105353

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017 Table: Upazila-Wise Damages and Loss database received through D-From on 11 May 2017 (Continue)

Netrokona Name of Name of Number Number Number Number of Number Damaged Number District Upazila of Union of of Affected of Damaged Crops of Affected Affected Population Affected Crops (Amount) Affected Union Household House (Hactor) Farmers

Durgapur 7 7 8000 40000 0 2500 8000

Kalmakanda 8 8 18450 87637 0 5950 18450

Netrakona 12 6 11000 49500 0 2200 11000

Sadar

Barhatta 7 7 16930 76185 0 3950 16930 Netrokona

Atpara 7 7 8710 43550 0 1610 8710

Kendua 13 8 19215 86467 0 4425 19215

Mohanganj 7 7 23800 99960 0 14000 23800

Madan 8 8 23975 100695 0 13085 23975

Khaliajuri 6 6 25100 99500 0 19870 25100

Purbadhala 11 7 12000 60000 0 2120 12000 Total 10 86 71 167180 743494 0 69710 0 167180

Kishoregonj Name of Name of Number Number Number Number of Number Damaged Number District Upazila of Union of of Affected of Damaged Crops of Affected Affected Population Affected Crops (Amount) Affected Union Household House (Hactor) Farmers

Itna 9 9 40325 161300 0 19630 2771756000 40325 Mithamain 7 7 34100 136400 0 14110 1992332000 34100 Austagram 8 8 30575 122300 0 13030 1839836000 30575 Nikli 7 7 18973 75892 0 5815 821078000 18973 Tarail 7 7 10950 43800 0 3650 515380000 10950 Karimganj 11 8 10610 42440 0 3260 460312000 10610 Bajitpur 11 7 1300 5200 0 339 47866800 1300 Kishoregonj Bhairab 7 3 459 1836 0 153 21603600 459 Katiadi 9 3 3510 14040 0 780 110136000 3510 Hossainpur 6 2 405 1620 0 90 12708000 405 Kishoreganj 11 0 1274 5096 0 350 49420000 1274 Sadar Pakundia 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 Kuliarchar 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 11 108 61 152481 609924 0 61207 8642428400 152481

Floods in Northeast (haor) areas of Bangladesh April-May 2017

Table: Upazila-Wise Damages and Loss database received through D-From on 11 May 2017 (Continue)

Moulvibazar Name of Name of Number Number Number Number of Number Damaged Number District Upazila of Union of of Affected of Damaged Crops of Affected Affected Population Affected Crops (Amount) Affected Union Household House (Hactor) Farmers

Moulvibazar 12 12 4499 22202 57 950 81285 2250 Sadar Juri 6 6 13550 81300 1526 5575 119170 12323 Sreemangal 9 10 13350 53400 452 3960 25500 5500 Moulvibazar Rajnagar, 8 8 6004 22940 64 2043 126308 4480 Kamalganj 9 9 15986 59936 1133 800 220 3150 Barlekha 10 10 17743 106458 2227 3685 295738 7840 Kulaura 13 6 14222 78539 1843 4500 526820 13650 Total 7 67 61 85354 424775 7302 21513 1175041 49193

Habigonj Name of Name of Number Number Number Number of Number Damaged Number District Upazila of of of Affected of Damaged Crops of Union Affected Affected Population Affected Crops (Amount) Affected Union Household House (Hactor) Farmers

Baniachang 15 15 35500 177500 546 25720 2160480000 35500 Ajmiriganj 5 5 12500 62500 58 8595 721980000 12500 Habiganj 10 7 6120 30600 705 3110 261240000 6120 Sadar Lakhai 6 6 16100 80500 250 9135 767340000 16100 Habigonj Nabiganj 13 13 8200 41000 23 5870 493080000 8200 Bahubal 7 5 5560 27800 150 2480 208320000 5560 10 3 1400 7000 -- 350 29400000 1400 Chunarughat Madhabpur 11 11 2500 12500 14 1300 109200000 2500 Total 8 77 65 87880 439400 1746 56560 4751040000 87880