Secondary Data Review: Bangladesh July-August 2011 The major impact of this disaster is the internal displacement of people from the water logged areas. In the worst affected upazilas of Satkhira, around 90 % of the affected Date of publication: 05.09.2011 population were temporarily forced to leave their homes because their homes were Prepared by: ACAPS, Geneva inundated by 3 to 4 feet of water. The majority of the displaced population took shelter Nature of the crisis: Water logging in Southern Bangladesh either in community buildings (schools, colleges or cyclone shelters) or on road sides, embankments and other places of high ground where many of them remain (WFP, This document focuses specifically on the impact of the water logging in Khulna, Satkhira and FAO, 08.2011). Jessore Districts About this document: This Secondary Data Review is a desk study in which estimates of scale, severity and likely impact of a natural or man-induced disaster are determined. The document aims to Forecast inform decision making for preparedness and emergency response. Information has been gathered Although there has been an improvement in the flood situation in recent days across through a review of secondary data, contact with individuals working in the field, use of lessons learned and experience from past similar crises or disasters. The SDR is intended to complement assessment-related Bangladesh (FFWC), the risk of flooding continues till the end of the Monsoon in mid- information that the Government and other agencies are producing and feedback is welcome on how this October. The threat of cyclones from September until the end of November increases document can be improved ([email protected]). ECB and ACAPS thank agencies and NGOs who the risks of flooding in the coastal regions. have shared the data and analysis which made this report possible. Disclaimer: Information provided is provisional as it has not all been independently verified. As this report covers highly dynamic subject, the accuracy of the information may decrease with time. The situation is compounded by food security risks during the Monga (lean season) from September through to the end of November especially for those families that may have lost their food stocks and homestead gardens as a result of the floods. Disaster Overview Heavier than usual rains during the end of July and early August 2011 resulted in The water logging is linked with the water levels in West Bengal, India. If the flooding flooding in many areas of Bangladesh. In the south western districts of Satkhira, continues in India, the potential release of water from several barrages will cause Jessore and Khulna, the flood waters have not significantly receded with some unions water levels in the southwest rivers of Bangladesh to rise, leading to a worsening of remaining inundated with water. This situation is being referred to as prolonged water- the water-logging (Initial Assessment 08.2011, Oxfam Public health Assessment). logging (WFP, FAO, Shushilan, 08.2011). Assessment reports suggest that people continue to arrive in shelters rather than The floods and prolonged water logging have caused significant displacement returning home (Oxfam Public Health Assessment). It is anticipated that it will take 3 presenting humanitarian challenges in safe water supply, sanitation, shelter and food to 4 months for the water to recede enough for many of the displaced households to security. There has been disruption to livelihoods, and serious damage to agricultural return to their homes even without any further intensification of weather related factors crops. Many schools in the affected areas are either damaged or being used as or the release of water from barrages in India. This means that a large number of IDPs collective centres. The Disaster Management Bureau (DMB) estimated over 800,000 could remain in temporary shelter during winter (IFRC 28.8.2011). people affected in Shatkira alone as of 25.08.2011. The water logging is the result of the combination of factors that include: excessive monsoon rains; inadequate drainage; mismanagement and a lack of maintenance of Content list embankments; increased sediment and siltation of rivers; restricted river flows due to Summary Sector updates embankments built for shrimp farming; and the release of water from barrages in India Disaster Overview Livelihood / Food Security especially Farakkah Barrage and Durgapur / Damodar Barrage (Oxfam Public Health Current situation and forecast Health & nutrition Assessment, 08.2011). Key priorities WASH Operational constraints Protection Affected population Shelter & NFI The obstruction of run-off from the two major rivers, the Satkhira Kapotakho and the Lessons Learned Education Betrabati by shrimp farming, irrigation dams / barrages and raised river beds (WFP, Information gaps and needs FAO, Shushilan Aug 2011) suggests that even if the flood waters slowly recede and Recent and on-going assessments there is no further significant rainfall, the inundation could continue until November Recommendations for further assessments 2011. Situation map Secondary Data Review – Bangladesh, August 2011 Key priorities Operational Constraints Infrastructure: An estimated 2,776 km of roads have been damaged in Satkhira, Most affected areas Jessore and Khulna. In some areas, highways are closed with an estimated 90% Initial assessments indicate that within the 3 districts, the district of Satkhira is the most of rural connecting roads under water (Inter Agency Assessment 18.08.2011). affected and within Satkhira the Upazila of Tala is the worst affected. A joint report from Targeting: It is difficult to track the needs of those dispersed in schools / cyclone several INGOs (Initial Joint Report, 08.2011 reported the most affected upazilas by shelters / public buildings and gauge numbers of those spontaneously displaced. population to be: Coordination: The absence of a clearly defined and active coordination structure # Upazila District Affected Population has resulted in a response that is prone to ad-hocism, overlaps and gaps (Oxfam, WFP, FAO, 27.08.2011). 1 Tala Satkhira 165,805 Access: Damage to highways and connector roads in the affected areas means 2 Satkhira Sadar Satkhira 160,500 that transportation in many places needs to be undertaken by boat, which are in 3 Satkhira Paurashava Satkhira 97,000 limited supply. This means that it is difficult to reach those trapped on 4 Paikgacha Khulna 96,011 embankments or stranded in their houses (Initial Joint Report, 08.2011). 5 Keshabpur Jessore 63,388 6 Debhata Satkhira 58,500 Affected population Estimates of the population affected across the 3 districts are difficult as (at the time of 7 Monirampur Jessore 49,752 writing) the government figures have not yet been consolidated. An ECHO sit rep of 8 Kaligonj Satkhira 32,400 14.08 estimated that 945,000 people were affected throughout the country with 9 Kalaroa Satkhira 32,320 200,000 people (40,000 families) displaced. General estimates put the number of affected at around 1 million people, however the DMB figure for Satkhira of over Most affected groups 800,000 (DMB, 25.08.2011) suggests that the total government estimate for all three districts will exceed 1 million. Initial reports indicate the affected population have responded to the crisis by: Taking shelter in schools, colleges and other public buildings. Households Households Population Population Total % Affected Moving to makeshift shelters on higher ground near to their homes. District affected in shelters affected affected Population affected Upazilas Continuing to live in the water-logged or marooned houses. (DRRO) (DRRO) (DRRO) (IJA) (Census) (DRRO) Taking shelter in houses of relatives or neighbours which are not affected. Tala 50,089 10,012 225,400 165,805 294,400 76.6 Temporarily migrating to other upazilas or districts (IFRC 28.08.2011). Sadar 49,022 3,906 220,600 160,500 410,355 53.8 Paurashava 24,444 2,828 110,000 97,000 Of these groups, those in most need of immediate assistance are those displaced to Satkhira Debhata 16,111 4,322 72,500 58,500 118,944 61 roadsides, embankments and other high ground, those in communal shelters and Ashasuni 13,967 1,630 62,850 ? 249,244 25.2 those staying in water-logged houses. Reports from focus group discussions indicate Kalaroa 9,061 156 40,774 32,320 221,596 18.4 that the extreme poor constitute a large proportion of the displaced population Kaligonj ? ? ? 32,400 especially those residing on the roadsides and embankments. (WFP, FAO, 08.2011). Total 162,694 22,854 732,124 546,525 1,294,539 Priority Interventions DRRO Satkhira, DC Office, Loss and Relief Information Report (22.08.2011) Clean water supply Households Population Population Total Total # Safe sanitation District affected affected affected Population Upazilas Short term food rations (IFRC) (DMB) (IJA) (Census) Longer term food security Satkhira 7 166,996 826,124 546,525 1,973,000 Temporary and transitional shelter Jessore 8 23,091 113,140 2,742,000 Khulna 9 19,594 96,011 2,294,000 Nutrition support for children under 5 and Pregnant and Lactating Women Rehabilitation of schools for resumption of education 2 Secondary Data Review – Bangladesh, August 2011 Lessons learned from past crises Recent and on-going assessments Access can remain challenging after flood water recedes, due to damaged infrastructure (UN, 2001). Initial rapid assessments carried out by INGOs / NGO’s have presented varying Water-logging / inundation can last for a prolonged period resulting in extended pictures of the present situation in terms of quantitative information. Differing displacement as occurred after cyclone Aila in 2009. methodologies and geographic scope of these various assessments have made it People chose to remain as close to their land / home as possible even if this challenging to achieve a consolidated overview of situation in terms of humanitarian means remaining in difficult conditions. needs. The loss of income opportunities and the time that it takes for these sectors (e.g.