(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.