Damages caused by disasters
Flood causes direct as well as indirect loss to the economy of a country. The direct losses include damage to the infrastructure, agricultural and industrial products, human being and livestock. The indirect losses include the damage to the economic activities that cannot remain operative due to lack of communication facilities during and immediately after flood. The indirect losses, particularly losses due to damage of transportation facilities may be substantial and warrant special attention. This paper presents an estimate of the indirect loss caused by flood damaged road network. The paper reveals that such indirect loss is much higher than the direct loss. It suggests that some economically important transportation corridors should be constructed in such a way that they remain workable even during flood. lives, crops, livestock, industries, houses and infrastructures. The other is the indirect effect where the economic activities, which are not destroyed by the disaster, cannot remain operative due to the lack of transportation infrastructure. The monetary value of the first type of damage can be perceived and analyzed relatively easily. For this reason it is usually included in the estimation of the economic losses and in the formulation of rehabilitation policies. On the contrary, it is very difficult to estimate the damages caused by the second type of effect mentioned above. But the economic value of the second type of damage may also be important. This type of loss can be avoided provided the major transportation linkages are protected during the disaster.
Past experience with flooding in Kurigram gives a good understanding of the impact on food security and livelihoods. Immediate food needs, particularly for those displaced and without cooking facilities will be a priority and this will be followed by longer term livelihood recovery needs. The current needs as described in the sitreps compiled by the INGO-ESC (Sitrep, INGO-ESC Flood 03.08.16) and field observations (by Local NGOs and WFP) mention food assistance as one of the priority needs. During flooding, cropland and homesteads are inundated with water causing severe damage to standing crops. Current (incomplete) information indicates these floods have destroyed partially 27,522 ha and fully 35,194 ha of standing crops. Main crops in the fields were Aus rice (Kurigram), aman rice, jute and sugarcane (in Jamalpur and Sirajganj) and rice and vegetables (in other districts) (Nirapad, 4th August). This will have a serious impact on job opportunities for daily labourers.
Households affected by flooding report the adoption of the following coping strategies:
* Distressed assets selling such as livestock;
* Migrating to non‐affected areas to find work opportunities (e.g. as agricultural day labour, rickshaw puller, household help and
non‐ agricultural day labour, reduction in meal frequency and size (Food Security Cluster - DFP-North West, 10/09/2015).
* Households are eating less than three meals a day (Oxfam 48 Hour Assessment, Kurigram, 3.08.16).