Unemployment rate among poor nearly 50%: Adviser Farooq-e-Azam

The unemployment rate among the poor population in some areas has risen to nearly 50%, causing a significant challenge centring nutrition intake for women and children, according to Disaster Management and Relief Adviser Farooq-e-Azam. 

Following a visit to flood-affected areas in the southeastern region and data collected from rural communities, Farooq shared his observations at a post-flood rehabilitation and recovery discussion held at BRAC Centre in Mohakhali today (16 October). 

The event was chaired by BRAC Chairperson Hossain Zillur Rahman.

"The high unemployment rate is creating major obstacles to improving nutrition for women and children, which should be considered a disaster. This issue becomes more acute following natural calamities," Farooq-e-Azam said in his address as the chief guest. 

"We are developing a project covering 75 upazilas where the unemployment rate is 50% or higher. The project aims to assist 75,000 families with food and livelihood support, with an estimated cost of Tk819 crore," he added.

He also encouraged NGOs and foreign donor organisations to collaborate on the project if interested.

BRAC Chairperson Hossain Zillur Rahman emphasised the importance of flood rehabilitation efforts. 

"Not only BRAC but other NGOs should also take necessary projects to repair roads, implement rehabilitation programs, fix drainage systems, and alleviate waterlogging in flood-affected areas by December," he said.

1.8m people need recovery, rehabilitation support

In addition to the discussions, a keynote address was delivered by Liaquat Ali, Director of the Climate Change Programme (CCP), Urban Development Programme (UDP), and Disaster Risk Management Programme (DRMP) at BRAC. 

The presentation highlighted that 1.8 million of the 5.8 million people affected by the floods in the southeast region are in urgent need of recovery and rehabilitation support. Specifically, 0.89 million people require housing improvements, 1.6 million need livelihood restoration, 1.6 million need safe water and sanitation systems, 0.48 million require health support, 0.76 million are at risk of malnutrition, and 0.63 million students need educational support.

The floods affected 5.8 million people across 11 districts, causing widespread devastation. A total of 259,366 hectares of agricultural land were damaged, 15,511 kilometres of roads were destroyed, and 540,000 families were displaced. Additionally, 71 lives were lost, 528,139 latrines were damaged, and 2,816 educational institutions were affected.

The discussion at BRAC Centre also emphasised the need for quick recovery actions, particularly focusing on restoring livelihoods, repairing schools and roads, and addressing waterlogging. Stakeholders advised on repatriation efforts, coordination between public and private institutions, community engagement, and providing low-interest bank loans to NGOs involved in recovery work.