The cost of global warming - more floods in Bangladesh too
As you may have seen on the news recently Bangladesh and has been devastated by recent flooding caused by unusually heavy monsoons across the region. Many of you have you have written to us, concerned for our producer groups in the effected areas and so I wanted to update you on the situation.
Flooded workshops and waterlogged looms at Priyoti Fabrics Group, Bangladesh
Village weaving workshops in Bangladesh, surrounded by flood water
As you will see from these pictures one particular weaving unit of ours was severely affected by the flooding. Priyoti Fabrics Group in Narsingdi (a member of our producer group Folk) found its workshop filled with water. With looms soaked, roads blocked and bridges collapsed it was impossible for them to finish their orders make their deliveries. The waters are now receding but the clean up operation will be huge and there is great risk from waterborne diseases across the region. 25 million are said to have been displaced by the waters.
Producers survey flood damage in Bangladesh
Families are struggling to find safe drinking water this presents a huge health risk for the children of Bangladesh. The World Health Organisation estimates that 30 million are at risk from diarreah, malaria and dengue fever across South Asia.
Childrens education is suffering too. Those schools which have not been destroyed by the floods are being used as shelter for those families who have lost their homes.
Local infrastructure has been hit hard. Houses, schools, roads and crops have been destroyed and it may take up to a year and a half to clean up. Peoples livelihoods have been swept away with the waters and a food shortage is feared. Many farmers cannot plant new crops until the waters have subsided and artisans cannot return to their looms until they are dry.
Map of Flood Water over Bangladesh
1. Artisan Hut: SM Cottage Weaving; Kumundini
2. Artisan Hut: Bangla Serai (embroidery)
3. Kumundini Ashiny; Kumundini Bridge
4. Proshika Folk (x2); Kumundini (x2)
5. Nakanyandang Kumundini (x2)
6. Dhaka: Artisan Hut Shati Tailoring; RA Tailoring; Bangla Serai
7. Narayanganj
8. Artisan Hut Shuvo Weaving
9. Folk Kn Colours
Here is a quick update for our producer groups
Artisan Hut – Production has been affected and roads have been blocked leaving producers unable to travel to deliver their goods and get supplies.
Folk – Health issues from dirty water are causing many problems and blocked roads are making getting the necessary aid very difficult. Many of Folk’s weavers work outside and this has been made impossible by the flooding. We also hear that many weavers have returned to their villages to help their families who have been seriously affected by the flood, naturally in these cases production has stopped completely.
Kumundini – Many of the Kumundini weavers’ houses have been inundated with flood water and their belongings ruined. There is a desperate need for food, clothing and medicines in these areas.
Another People Tree partner is the National Garment Workers Federation, a trade union that campaigns for the factory garment workers rights. Recently they wrote to us to explain how more than 50% of 2.5 million garment workers families have been affected as two thirds of the country is under water.
This is the kind of relief parcel that will be sent to families from the NGWF:
1. Rice – 10kg
2. Dal - 1kg
3. salt ½ kg
4. Onions 1 kg
5. Turmeric
6. Cayenne pepper
7. Mixed spice
8. Soap
9. Disinfection solution
10. Oil
11. Water purifying tablets
12. Water bag
13. Thread
To the value of 600Tk which is £4.40
People Tree’s NGO arm in Japan, Global Village, has sent US $5,000 towards immediate relief last week and work is underway.
Comments