SUNAMGANJ FLOODSPhase 1 - Joint Rapid Emergency Assessment

02 July 2012

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KEY FINDINGS

- Five upazilla have been affected by the flooding. The three most severly affected are Bishwambarpur, Dowarabazar and Chhatak wit Sunamganj Sadar and Thaipur being moderately affected.

- 318,000 people are partially or severely affected by the flood in the Sunamganj district (around 58,000 families, 13% of the total population).

- 55,000 people were displaced as of the 30th June (around 10,000 households). Most displaced people are being hosted in neighbour’s and relative’s houses.

- Around 13,000 shelters have been damaged in the 5 affected upazillas.

- The flood has damaged water infrastructure and sanitation facilities. This situation increases the risk of water borne diseases including skin diseases and diarrhoea.

- Although the flooding situation is decreasing, heavy rains that are predicted by weather forecasts could lead to a deterioration of the situation in the coming ten days.

- The markets are still functional at the present time, but the impact of the floods on the food pricesneed to be monitored.

- The top priorities according to government officiasl are:o Food security supporto Water and Sanitationo Shelter

- The local capacities of government authorities in terms of response is estimated to cover around 20% of the current needs.

Recommendations

Further assessments and ongoing monitoring- A Community Level Assessment is required in the five most affected upazillas (29 unions)- Regular monitoring of the flood situation is required on a daily basis- Regular monitoring of the markets to follow the impact of the flood on the food prices

Immediate responseImmediate assistance is required for displaced people marooned on island settlements, in emergency shelters and gathering places of displaced people (schools)

- A food support is required with a cash approach as the markets remain functional- Installation of temporary water infrastructure or rehabilitation of existing water supply- Installation of temporary latrines where people are staying- Distribution of NFI kit, included Hygiene kit and plastic sheeting to those who have been displaced

Recovery response- Disinfection and rehabilitation of damaged tube wells - Household sanitation facilities

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- Shelter Rehabilitation or construction for returnees (including rehabilitation of public building such as schools)

Long term response- Disaster resilient water and sanitation facilities- Earth work in order to raise the Haiti and reduce the risk of erosion

METHODOLOGY

This report is based on the compilation of available secondary data1, a collection of qualitative primary data from phone interviews with Upazilla government officials2 and short field observations on Friday 29th and Saturday 30th June. The report was finalised on Monday 2nd July.

This joint assessment was coordinated by Solidarites International with the support of FIVDB, Concern Worldwide / VARD, Christian Aid / POPI for primary data collection and Islamic Relief, Dan Church Aid, Oxfam, Care for additional editing and comments. Secondary data compiled by CARE with the support of ACAPS were incorporated in the report to complete field data. Additional field data were provided by Islamic relief in Chhatak Upazilla.

The assessment took place under the overall coordination of the HCTT based on the joint decision of HCTT members to assess flood affected areas taken on 28th June.

GENERAL INOFRMATION ABOUT THE SUNAMGANJ DISTRICT

Most affected Upazilla

1 Secondary data included both pre-disaster information and in-disaster information from sources, including government and media.2 (TNO/UNO, PIO, Upazilla Chairman)

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80% of Sunamganj is within a Haor area consisting of medium lowland, lowland and very lowland. The Haor Basin is a particularly vulnerable region of Bangladesh (IFAD 2011, WB 2010) subject to extensive annual flooding which limits agricultural and rural enterprise growth. Boats are used during the flood season as transportation because roads are completely submerged. Poor communication/road systems and access to external markets limit incentives for increased production and reduce rural expansion (IFAD 2011).

During the monsoon a Haor becomes a vast stretch of turbulent water. Usually Haor areas are flooded for 6 months of the year from May to October. During the dry season, most of the water drains out, leaving one or more shallow beels which become mostly overgrown with aquatic vegetation. These beels can completely dry out by the end of the dry season, exposing rich alluvial soil which is extensively cultivated for rice.

All year long people live on land that is naturally or artificially elevated (called Hati). During the rainy season, these higher portions of land become islands completely surrounded by water. During the dry season the water goes away and the land that was previously flooded turns into agricultural land. Because of the extremely high population density in Bangladesh including the Haor region, are forced to live in flood and erosion prone areas.3

The haor basin has been identified as one of the ‘highly food insecure’ regions of the country (WFP 2004). The physical conditions of the haors together with the poor infrastructure are the root causes of the high levels of poverty in the region. The extended period of annual flooding means only a single crop can be grown, thus increasing vulnerability (IFAD 2011).

Lack of markets and power supplies has limited the growth of the non-farm sector and the growth of new employment opportunities (IFAD 2011). Low productivity in agriculture and lack of other employment opportunities drives many men (and a few women) to seasonally migrate in search of work in other parts of Bangladesh (IFAD 2011).

Snapshot of Derai upazailla: an example of livelihoods in the haors

Livelihoods vulnerability in the Derai upazilla in Sunamganj is among the highest in the country. Damage to standing crops is high due to frequent floods (GoB 2008). The main occupation in Derai is agriculture (accounting for 45% of livelihoods) (GoB 2008).

Single cropped land is about 88%, implying that most of the land is inaccessible for cropping in other seasons. Double cropped land is only 13%. Among the farmers, 9% are landless, 21% belong to the marginal farmers class, 38% per cent are small farmers, 32% are medium and large farmers (GoB 2008).

Demography

3 For more information on flood, erosion and land tenure, please refer to FAO study on “Land tenure and natural disasters”, available at http://www.fao.org/docrep/013/i1855e/i1855e00.htm

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Census 2001 Census 20114

Bishwambarpur Upazila 126259 155929

Chhatak Upazila 334546 413164

Derai Upazila 202791 250446

Dharampasha Upazila 182969 225966

Dowarabazar Upazila 179201 221313

Jagannathpur Upazila 225271 278209

Jamalganj Upazila 138985 171646

Sulla Upazila 101298 125103

Sunamganj Sadar Upazila 367230 453529

Tahirpur Upazila 155188 191657

Total 2013738 2443000 (2486966)

DISASTER OVERVIEW

Flooding in Bangladesh

Flooding occurs almost annually in Bangladesh. Every year, approximately 20.5 % of the country is inundated by flooding (Paul and Routray 2010). If flooding is prolonged the population becomes extremely vulnerable (Khan 2008). When flooding is extreme it can affect up to 70% of the country (Paul and Routray 2010). Wide scale flooding can bring devastation to crops, livestock and property as well as disrupt livelihoods and cause loss of life and livelihoods (Paul and Routray 2010).

Excess rains and flooding coupled with lack of proper drainage can lead to water logging. A number of factors contribute to prolonged water logging; increased sediment flows, embankment build up as a result of shrimp farming which leads to improper river flow, improper maintenance of embankments and the release of large amounts of water in the monsoon season from barrages in India.

Figure 1 -Flood affected areas5

Water logging results in significant damage to water and sanitation facilities, houses and infrastructure. It causes losses of fisheries and livestock as well as damage to crops. Both agricultural and non agricultural livelihoods are significantly impacted and, as highlighted in the southwest in 2011, can take months to resume, (Oxfam 2011).

4 Nb pop is an approximate extrapolation from Sylhet 24% of increase as per the 2011 census. As per 2011 census, Sunamganj sum up 2443 thousand people. % of error between extrapolated result and 2010 census is overall 1.8% = (2443-2487)/2443

5 Source: NDRCC; DMRD; MoFDM – www.dmrd.gov.bd; Data Date: Jun 27, 2012@10:30 am

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Flooding in the Sunamganj district / Haor area

Flooding is a normal situation in the Haors. Flash floods in Haor areas occur each year from the end of April to early May. This trend makes the Boro cultivation pattern unique in the Haor areas. Across most of the haor region rice is cultivated only once a year. People cultivate Boro yearly and aim to harvest before flash flood season starts.

Even though people have adapted their agricultural patters and lives to cope with the annualflooding of the Haor region, flash floods often occur early and can have still have devastating impacts on the general livelihood situation of Haor families including the destruction of the once a year harvest. Furthermore, heavy floods are common.

Consequence of major flooding in the Haor region

As shown in the figure below, Hoar inhabitants are constantly at risk of a 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. The density of population in these islands is very high and houses located on the edge of the island are continually at risk of having their land inundated and eroded and subsequently being displaced. In some severe seasons the level of water during inundations can reach 1.5 m above the level of the floor of the houses, causing significant displacement.

Figure 2 – Hati flood scheme6

Flood situation as of 30th June 2012

In Sylhet division

7 Sylhet Surma Flowing 129 cm above the flood level 18 cm has decreased8 Sylhet Surma Flowing 48 cm above the flood level 13 cm has decreased9 Sunamgonj Surma Flowing 38 cm above the flood level 17 cm has decreased10 Sylhet Kushiara Flowing 129 cm above the flood level 65 cm has decreased11 Sylhet Kushiara Flowing 72 cm above the flood level 23 cm has decreased

6 Extract from Solidarites International Haors vulnerability assessment July 2011

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The DRMRD report of the 30th June indicates that the overall flood situation is improving in all of the Upazillas of Sylhet District.

92,930 households are affected by flood in 11 Upazilas, 75 Unions, 1 Municipality and 5 wards of Sylhet City Corporation. Fully damaged households are 1,942 and partially damaged HHs are 16,468. Total 3 people are died in this district due to flood. Total 69 shelters are opened for flood affected people, now 2,475 people are staying in 27 flood shelters. People are returning their homes as the flood situation is improving. [DRMRD report 30 June 2012].

It should be noted that the DRMRD estimate of the number of affected people is considerably lower than the Upazilla officials’ estimate. Further cross checking of information is required.

In Sunamganj district

The day before the assessment (29th June), the water level of the Surma River was flowing above the danger level due to continued heavy rainfall and the onrush of water from the hilly regions of Assam in India. Additionally, the heavy rainfall of recent days upstream of Sunamgonj and Sylhet districts is contributing to the increased water level of the Surma and surrounding rivers. The trend of water levels in the region is generally above the danger level. The Surma at Sunamganj, was flowing above its respective danger levels by 38 cm. However, the DRMRD report of 30 June 2012 indicates that the flowing was decreased of 17 cm.

Vulnerability overview as of 30th June 2012

This table below shows that five upazillas out of ten are partially marooned (surrounded by flood waters). Three Upazillas are seriously affected (Bishwambarpur, Dowarabazar, Chhatak) with local authorities reporting many displaced households. A few injured people have been reported in Chhatak, Tahirpur and Sunamganj_Sadar. 5 people died in Tahirpur due to lightening strikes.

Information on the estimated number of people displaced in Bishwambarpur, Tahirpur and Sunamganj_Sadar was obtained from local officials. From this information it can be estimated that around 55000 people were displaced as of 30th June (around 10000 households).

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According to upazilla estimates of the proportion of people affected, it can be roughly estimated that 318000 people are partially or severely affected by the flood (around 58000 families).

Name of the Upazilla:

Total pop Dead Missi

ng Injured Displaced Total unions

Nb affect. unions

Estimated % of pop affected

Estimate of affected people

Estimate of affected HHs7

Bishwambarpur 155929 No No No 9356 5 3 0-24% 18,711 3,402

Dowarabazar 221313 ? No No Many 9 645% 99,591 18,107

Chhatak 413164 ? No A few Many 13 418% 74,370 13,522

Tahirpur 191657 A few No A few 3833 7 7 25-49% 70,913 12,893

Sunamganj_Sadar 453529 No No A few 9071 9 9 0-24% 54,423 9,895

Jagannathpur 278,209 No No No No 9 0 0 - -

Derai 250,446 No No No No 9 0 0 - -

Sulla 125,103 No No No No 4 0 0 - -

Jamalganj 171,646 No No No No 5 5 0 - -

Dharampasha 225,966 No No No No 10 6 0 - -

Total 2433000318008 57,820

SECTOR WISE DISASTER IMPACTS

Shelter

The Sunamganj haor basin is characterized by a deep shallow depression. It is regularly affected by flooding with most of the area most of the area is inundated from May to October every year. In addition to the regular pattern of flooding the area is also vulnerable to serious flash floods. The people live on scattered small patches of raised land (hati), which become islands during the rainy season. The rushing water erodes the land, and destroys homes and livelihoods on these small islands. There are numerous villages in the Sunamganj haor, where people live in isolation with no access to essential services during the monsoon season (SDC 2011, IFAD 2008). The roads often become inaccessible during the peak of the monsoon season and providing and maintaining basic services in the haor villages is a challenge (GoB 2008).

There are a limited and insufficient number of flood shelters in the haor area (most of the ones that do exist have been built by Care or GoB). The capacity of these shelters is generally sufficient to hold 10-15 families in each. They are inaccessible for most of the haor residents because they are located 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, as well as serious issues related to WaSH. Very little support is provided in this region by the government or NGOs. Many children are reportedly affected by water borne diseases in this period.

As mentioned above, the local authorities in Bishwambarpur, Dowarabazar and Chhatak reported that many households have been displaced as result of recent floods. Reports from the field indicate that most people are displaced to neighbours or relatives houses at this stage. The government has

7 Based on a average of 5.5 members per family

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not yet opened any emergency flood shelters (information confirmed for Dowarabzaar and Chhatak only).

According to a field assessment by Islamic Relief in the Chattak Upazilla, it is estimated that 3000 shelters were partially or fully damaged in the Chhatak Upazila only. Based on this figure, it is estimated than 13000 shelters were partially or totally damaged by floods in the five most affected Upazillas.

Recommendations: - An immediate further in depth assessment is required in the five Upazilla most affected unions. The assessment should aim to:

Determine the number of displaced people by living arrangements (schools, emergency shelters, host families, spontaneous settlements)

Understand the needs of displaced people Identify if an emergency shelter response is required (for families living in

spontaneous settlements in the open) Identify the coping capacity, needs and ways of assisting of host families

- A complementary assessment would also be required to assess shelter damage on the islands in preparation for longer term support to families as they return home when flood waters subside.

Food security

The food security situation does not yet appear to be a serious concern. Officials from only one upazilla, Bishwambarpur, mentioned that many people are likely to have their food stores destroyed or damaged as a result of the floods.

The main crop in the hoar is Boro rice harvested in April before the normal annual floods. Floods in the monsoon should therefore cause no threat to the major agricultural production. Some homestead gardens may be affected but these are not common.

As the Boro harvest was recent, It is thought that most households have stocks of rice and that families managed to secure their stock before this slow onset flooding (this may need further checking in a more detailed community level assessment in the coming days and weeks, see below). Markets have not been affected by the floods as they are usually located on the highest Hati / islands. Markets currently have sufficient stocks of food and are functioning.

Local authorities in the five most affected upazillas reported that a deteriorating situation would affect the food security of the population in the short as well as middle term. If the flooding continues or increases, a further assessment should focus on the impact of the flooding on the market system and the potential price increase of food and other essential items.

Recommendations: - An immediate complementary assessment in emergency shelters and schools (and wherever people are displaced to) is required to assess displaced households stocks of rice, other food and household items. This should attempt to include households hosting displaced families whish may have their coping capacity stretched as a result of taking in displaced neighbours and relatives.- At this stage, a food security response appears to be relevant only for displaced people- Markets should be monitored if the situation continues to deteriorate for food availability and prices.

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WaSH

Prior to the current flooding 95% of the population in Sunamganj (49% if adjusted for arsenic contamination) are using improved drinking water sources, with the majority using shallow tube wells (65%) and deep tube wells (28%) (MICS 2009). Only 37% of the population uses improved sanitation facilities, predominately open or hanging latrines (23%) and pit latrines (17%). A significant majority of households share a toilet facility with another household (73%) (MICS 2009).

In addition to this structurally worrying situation, the table below shows that the floods have already aggravated the water and sanitation access situation in five upazillas (Bishwambarpur, Dowarabazar, Chhatak, Tahirpur, Sunamganj_Sadar). According to the estimates of upazilla officials, between 30% and 80% of the population in some affected areas have limited access to safe drinking water at the time of the assessment and 45% to 80% of the population have limited access to sanitation facilities. The situation in Dowarebazaar seems particularly serious and would need more in depth assessment.

Name of the Upazilla:

Has water supply been damaged/ adversly affected ?

% Nb of people with limited or no access to safe drinking water

Has Sanitation been damaged/ adversly affected ?

Approximate % or number of people with limited or no access to sanitation

Bishwambarpur Yes 50% Yes 65%

Dowarabazar Yes 50% Yes 80%

Chhatak Yes 40% Yes 70%

Tahirpur Yes 35% Yes 45%

Sunamganj_Sadar Yes 30% Yes ?Jagannathpur No 0 No 0

Derai No 0 No 0

Sulla No 0 No 0Jamalganj Yes 2% Yes 5%

Dharampasha Yes 2% Yes 5%

Access to safe and sanitary latrine facilities is worsened by floods, as most of the latrines used during the monsoon season, are “hanging latrines” located at the edge of the islands and opening into the water. These are very likely to be impacted by the increasing water level and consequent land erosion. Insufficient or damaged sanitation facilities are known to disproportionately affect women and girls, who are likely to face security and privacy issues when bathing and using latrines.

Flooding of latrines causing increased excreta in open water may lead to an increase in skin diseases and water borne diseases. This can be particularly dangerous for children under five. This is especially relevant in islands with little or no clean water access where people will have to rely on open water sources (flood water) for drinking, cooking and bathing purposes. Past experience also indicates that the risks of water borne diseases will increase when the flood levels recede around the islands/hati.

Recommendations: - In the three most affected upazillas, a detailed assessment of damages to water and sanitation infrastructure is required to determine the nature of WaSH response required.- An emergency WaSH response (provision of safe water and distribution of hygiene kits) is needed for displaced people in schools and emergency shelters.- Disinfection and rehabilitation of flooded water infrastructure (tube wells) will be needed in areas once water recedes. This should include elevated tube well platforms.

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Health

Name of the Upazilla:

Are health facilities accessible?

Bishwambarpur Yes

Dowarabazar No

Chhatak Yes

Tahirpur No

Sunamganj_Sadar NoJagannathpur Yes

Derai Yes

Sulla YesJamalganj Yes

Dharampasha Yes

Even in non-disaster situations, health coverage is limited due to poor infrastructure, limited number of facilities, high gaps of qualified staffs and high transport costs (IFAD 2011).

Health indicators in the area indicate pre-existing vulnerability of the population. Maternal mortality rate in Sunamganj was 478 per 100 000 live births between 1997 and 2000 (WHO 2010). The <5 mortality rate is one of the highest in the country and at 94 per 1000 is significantly above the national average of 64 (MICS 2009). Sunamganj has been identified by UNICEF as one of the 6 districts within Bangladesh particularly vulnerable to pneumonia (UNICEF 2011). Most births, 85%, are delivered by traditional birth attendants (MICS 2009).

Although this initial assessment did not reveal any indication that the flooding aggravated the health situation at the time of the assessment, reduced access to health care combined with the pre-existing vulnerability of the population and a deteriorating sanitation situation imply that if the flooding and displacement continue the resilience of people could be compromised.

Recommendations: From the initial assessment findings, health does not appear to be an immediate a priority response.However, if the situation deteriorates the sanitation situation may lead to an increase of water borne diseases. A nutrition response (complementary to a WaSH response) targeting under five children and pregnant and lactating women may be warranted in the most affected and vulnerable communities in order to reduce their exposure to diarrhoea.

Education

During heavy rains, most families don’t let their children attend school because they are concerned about them drowning. Most schools are closed in the most affected areas due to the flooding. Based on past experience and information collected during the assessment, an increase in the numbers of children dropping out of school can be expected if the situation continues to deteriorate.

Schools that are currently being used as collective centres for displaced people are not able to operate as schools causing children to miss lessons. These buildings are also likely to require rehabilitation once waters recede.

Recommendation: The situation needs to be monitored and special catch-up classes should be organised in case of long term school absenteeism, in order to ensure children do not drop-out of school.

Lessons Learned from past floods in the area

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In 2005 74% of the Sunamganj district was flooded. All of its upazillas except Bishwamvarpur (48%), Chhatak (49%) and Dowarabazar (55%) were inundated above the 70% during the peak of the flood(GoB 2008).

As a result of the 2010 early flash floods, almost all the low lying areas of the Jagannathpur upazilla, in the Sunamganj district was under water and a significant number of families suffered from food crisis (IFRC 2010). Because the 2010 flash floods happened before the harvests they destroyed most of the crops leading to a food crisis in the area. Because the rice was harvested prior to the flooding this year local authorities do not see such a serious food crisis at this stage.

CONSTRAINTS

Access and transportation

Access and transport is a major issue in the haor area. Most linking roads are submerged at the time of the assessment (as normal at this time of the year) and movement is mainly only possible by boat. Motorized vehicle transportation is possible only in major towns.

This table highlights the transportation issue in five affected Upazillas:

Vulnerable Upazilla Distance from Sunamgonj Time to get there1 Dwarabazar 10km 2h302 Derai 37km 1h153 Sallah 30km 1h304 Chattok 60km 2h305 Dwarmapasa 60km 6hTime required to access Upazilla from Sunamganj city8

RESPONSES FROM GOVERNEMENT AND OTHER AGENCIES

Government response

According to the last DMB situation report, allocations from Disaster Management and Relief Division to combat any possible flood situation are as follows (as on 30/06/2012):

District GR cash GR Rice HB Grant

Sunamganj 200,000 0.000 0

Other agencies responses

No details available so far.

NEXT STEPS

Scenario Development

The recent report from the DRMRC indicates a decrease of the flooding situation. However, new monsoon rains can very quickly result in a worsening of the situation and lead to a major flood in the area. Heavy to moderate rainfalls are expected this week in the Sylhet region and the upstream region of Assam and Meghalaya in India [BMD website as of 1st July].

8 Extract from Solidarites International Haors vulnerability assessment July 2011