FOR THE last couple of weeks, it little (at least not much) in Dhaka, where 1 live and work for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRCS). The flood waters, which have been affecting up to two thirds of the country for the last 50 days have, nevertheless, been increasing over this period, and now the comfortable residential colony in which I live, close to Dhaka's diplomatic area, is full of stinking stagnant water which is full of floating plastic bags, a 'gift' of progress which clogs the ways through which water should drain away. Small boats provide a 'taxi' service in my road.

Of course, I am lucky that the phone, electricity, running water and gas are still available but two million people in the capital have now been driven out of their homes by the flood waters. The foul, very slow moving water all over Dhaka city and districts is potentially most lethal as so much sewage has overflowed into it. At the end of a tiring day which is usually at least 14 hours long. I feel a bit guilty having my shower. The waste water goes into the already overflowing sewage lines while I am acutely aware that millions of people are wading through this type of dirty water every day. I see tankers of drinking water going through axle deep flood water which brings the comparison Into sharp perspective. In addition. I have seen the horrific sanitary

conditions that are being faced by. for instance, the thousands camping in the flood shelters.

Two thirds of the country are affected by the flood waters which, though expected to have subsided by now, have actually been increasing in many areas due to torrential rain in the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh. Bihar and West Bengal which finds it's outlet to the sea through Bangladesh. It is therefore anticipated that the floods will not begin to recede to any great extent for another week or so. and it will be the end of September before farmers can think of finding dry enough soil in which to plant seeds. At least 30 million people have been affected in some way by the floods and It is estimated that at least 10 million will be in need of assistance to be able to eke out a living. The poorest are always the worst hit at times of disasters such as this. The landless labourers in the rural areas and the daily labourers/slum dwellers in the towns and cities have both been without work for so long. Their families stranded on embankments and in government buildings for so long have been living in temporary but unhygienic conditions.

A landless agricultural labourer would, normally, at this time of the year, be earning about 60-70 taka a day transplanting paddy (rice) seedlings. Now that paddy land might be under up to 10 feet of water. If he owns any animals he might be

passing his days collecting water hyacinth with whkh to feed them as the price of cattle fodder has doubled in the last few weeks. The fruit trees that his wife tend close to their homestead will have been destroyed by the length of the floods. And rather than go in search of the elusive relief supplies of the government and NGOs. these people may have decided to borrow money with which to survive even if the Interest is as much as 8 per cent per month.

When the Internationa] Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRCS) launched an international appeal at the end of July to sup-Kjrt the flood relief work of the angladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS). some aid officials criticised it for scare-mongering. They felt that the floods at that time were 'normal'. However. the BDRCS and the IFRCS have years of experience in dealing with floods in this country and their officials were sure that a disaster of huge proportions would unfold. Many thousands of the worst hit people have already received food and medical assistance from BDRCS in more than 30 districts of the country, and more districts will be covered in the coming days. The food supplies which include chira (flattened rice) which Is ready to eat with some molasses, rice and dal (lentils) and high energy biscuits. The food supplies are distributed through the Red Cres-

cent district units who are ably supported by members of Red Crescent Youth and other local volunteers. The BDRCS have also organised and deployed 22 medical teams, each consisting of a doctor, a para medic and at least one male and one female volunteer. The problems they are encountering include diarrhoea. hepatitis, typhoid, skin diseases and. in some places, measles. Malnutrition is also expected to increase the longer the floods linger.

With the generally worsening situation, the BDRCS is preparing a further major action plan and appeal which is likely to include more relief supplies, supplies of seeds, especially for quick-growing vegetables, and clothing. The effects of this disaster are going to be felt for months and years to come, but to alleviate the suffering of the poorest sections of the population the BDRCS will be stretched to its limits to keep up the frantic pace of moving sustaining food supplies out of it's Dhaka warehouse. It is easy for the hard-working staff of the BDRCS and the Federation to identify with the flood-affected people of the country, as more than half of BDRCS' own compound is under water which makes loading and unloading trucks most difficult, and many of the houses of the staff have been inundated too.

The writer is Disaster Preparedness Delegate, IFRCS. based in Dhaka