This was the first time that the common people and the authorities assembled to discuss the problems being faced by local people. The discussion was organised by Sarhad Rural Support Programme, in collaboration with the Open Society Foundation.
The flood-hit communities expressed their concerns with the authorities and condemned the government for failing to address their problems even after the lapse of one year.
They said that the majority of the people residing in Tehsil Kabal relied on agriculture. However, thousands of acres of agricultural land were washed away during the last years, while the irrigation channels which were destroyed have not been restored yet.
Shujat Ali Khan, a social activist from Melaga Village, claimed that 90 per cent of the population in his village relied on agricultural sector. “There was only one irrigation channel in the village, which was completely devastated by the floods. Now we are left with no means of earning a livelihood and we don’t have the resources to restore the channel ourselves. We have raised the issue on several occasions, but the government pays no heed to our problems,” said Khan.
The local community also complained that the destruction of drinking water supply schemes had created immense shortage of potable water. “We are being forced to drink unclean water, which in turn creates a grim issue of water-borne diseases such as diarrhoea and cholera. Skin diseases are also common in the region, while there is no basic health unit in the village,” Khan added.
The people also criticised the government for failing to restore link roads and streets which were swept away by the floods.
Sardar Khan, a resident of Bandai, said, “Our first and foremost need is the restoration of link roads. How can our community develop if we are cut-off from the rest of the country?”
The meeting was also attended by local media personnel. Niaz Ahmed Khan, who was representing the local media, said it was their responsibility to highlight peoples’ issues so that they can be resolved in a timely manner.
Special District Magistrate Farhatullah Marwat, who was representing the line departments, responded to peoples’ concerns and said that the concerned departments will do all their best to resolve the issues.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 3rd, 2011.
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