Caritas helps to hold back the desert

(June 24, 2011) Caritas Bangladesh is working hard to alleviate the problem of drought in northwest Bangladesh, bringing some hope to the affected families. Drought now prevails for seven months of the year or more in vast tracts of the Barindra area which covers the Rajshahi, Chapai Nawabgonj and Naogaon districts. As many as 100,000 hectares of arable land have gone barren, resulting in the loss of a million tonnes of crops and making even drinking water scarce. One report claims that at least 43 percent of the country is at risk of desertification. People are moving elsewhere for a living. Arook Toppo, a Caritas Rajshahi program officer, agrees with local estimates that “without taking proper measures to combat the drought, the area could turn into desert in the next fifty years.” Besides planting thousands of trees, Caritas is encouraging people to plant trees themselves and follow drought adaption methods. Toppo said they are also introducing drought-tolerant crops and rainwater preservation for drinking. Caritas also holds frequent awareness programs that explain the vulnerable situation and show how best to adapt to drought. The Church’s charity is also promoting livestock rearing as an alternative livelihood.