People's Oriented Program Implementation (POPI), a renowned development organization, has stood by the farmer families of the haor areas of Kishoreganj affected by the recent flash floods. The organization started the distribution of the first phase of emergency humanitarian assistance program on May 13 for the people who were devastated by the extensive damage to crops, livestock and homes in the floods. Following this, the second phase of distribution was completed on May 19 and this distribution program is in full swing in the haor areas on May 20.

Under this program titled "Emergency Humanitarian Assistance Project for People Affected by Flash Floods (ALERT-B072)", this direct assistance is being provided to a total of 1,225 affected farmer families of Itna and Ashtagram upazilas of Kishoreganj. Under the project, these relief items and cash are being delivered to Mriga, Joysiddhi, Dhanpur and Badla unions of Itna upazila and Abdullahpur and Purba Ashtagram unions of Ashtagram upazila. Each family will be provided with Tk 6,000 as multi-purpose cash assistance for the affected families. In addition, 100 kg (2 bags) of cow fodder for the affected cattle and one high-quality tarpaulin measuring 12 × 15 feet is being distributed to each family.

To ensure that the truly affected and most deserving people receive this assistance, a specific and systematic screening process has been carried out. This selection process is completed in several stages. Initially, a 'community consultation meeting' is organized with the local residents of the concerned area. Then, specific criteria or indicators are determined for selecting the affected farming families based on local realities. And based on the determined indicators, a detailed survey is conducted in each household or family (Household Survey) using 146 'toolbox indicators'.

Based on the information obtained from the survey, a list of the most vulnerable marginal farmers was prepared by analyzing the 'Vulnerability Index' or risk level. To ensure ultimate transparency, this list was finalized through joint scrutiny and approval of the local public, local government representatives and upazila administration. Local response and impact officials said that this multi-dimensional assistance will play an important role in ensuring emergency food security for the affected haor people, collecting seeds for the next crop, protecting livestock and arranging temporary shelter. Marginal farmers who came to receive relief said that they have benefited greatly from receiving cash and cow fodder during this disaster by being selected in a completely digital and impartial manner. It is worth noting that the project is being implemented by POPI with the support of Start Fund Bangladesh. UK Aid, Sida (Sweden), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Jersey Overseas Aid and Hilton Foundation are jointly providing financial support to this international fund.

This humanitarian initiative, implemented through modern technology, specific indicators, and the involvement of local administration during a disaster, has been widely appreciated by the administration and the general public and is playing a very effective role in alleviating the suffering of the affected people of the haor.

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