Aid distribution in Cumilla disrupted by snatching, attacks on relief-laden vehicles, lack of boats

As flood situation improves in Cumilla, allegations of slum dwellers snatching away relief items by attacking aid convoys have become rampant.

Locals alleged that the government's aid money has dried up. Although much relief materials arrived from private donors, proper distribution is getting hampered due to a lack of boats.

While visiting the flood-affected areas, this correspondent heard from the victims that in some places, people living in slums and dry highlands were snatching away the relief items meant for them, while the unavailability of police and army men is making the situation worse.

Broken dam of Gumti river and erosion of Salda and Ghungur river led to the flooding of Burichang and Brahmanpara upazilas which are still under water. Many areas of Debidwar upazila are also being inundated.

Every day, people living in the slums stand beside the road connecting Burichang upazila with Cumilla Sadar, which obstructs relief-laden vehicles from passing through the area. Even if some vehicles can carry relief materials, these items cannot be transported to flood-affected areas due to a lack of boats.

As a result, donors are handing over the relief items to those people who have not been affected by floods, including slum-dwellers and people living on dry lands.

Resident of Burichang upazila Jahirul Haque Babu said, "Some people cannot get relief, while some others are getting them repeatedly. The relief materials would have reached the hands of the victims if there were enough police and army personnel on the streets."

Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Brahmanpara SM Azharul Islam said, "The government's aid money has been spent. People cannot reach Brahmanpara via Burichang. I would advise using the Muradnagar-Companiganj road to come here."