Seminar on Monga 2003

Mr Shahjahan Miah
Programme Associate

On March 28, 2004 Shahjahan Miah, Programme Associate, presented a paper titled The Monga in the Northern Districts of Bangladesh During November-December 2003: Experience from Field Investigation. The paper, fifth in the YSSS, focused on the underlying factors that informed the severity of Monga in 2003, and the coping mechanism pursued by the victims. It also suggested some policy measures to address the situation. The study was the result of a field investigation carried out at CPD's initiative under the overall guidance of Uttam Kumar Deb, Research Fellow, CPD.  

Pointing out lack of farm activities as the main cause of the Monga, Shahjahan observed that day-labourers and landless people suffered most from the blow. Shortfall in foodgrain production in FY2003 compared to FY2002 was identified as yet another cause for determination of the food availability situation in 2003. Shahjahan called for concentrating on the Kabikha (Food for Work) programme, as a source for food availability during the Monga month and argued for ensuring proper distribution of Khas lands amongst the landless poor households of the northern districts.