Saint Martin's Gets Food Aid After 9 Days of Bad Weather
Photo: Agamir Somoy
The upazila administration dispatched government VGF rice to Saint Martin's Island after nine days of bad weather suspended trawler and speedboat service on the Teknaf-Saint Martin route, cutting off the country’s only coral island from the mainland and sparking food supply fears.
Saint Martin's Union Parishad Acting Chairman Faizul Islam confirmed the matter on Thursday.
He said, “Although trawler operations are suspended, 772 sacks of government VGF rice have been sent to Saint Martin's to ensure the food security of the islanders. On Wednesday, Coast Guard, and BGB delivered eggs, betel leaves, vegetables, and other essential goods to the island.”
Local student representative Jamil Uddin added, “Many locals who came to Teknaf for essential work, medical treatment, and various institutional needs have been stranded there for several days.
“As local cautionary signal number 3 remains in effect in the sea, the administration has restricted trawler movement for the sake of safety. As a result, they cannot return home until the weather becomes normal.”
Local resident Kefayet Ullah said, “Since Saint Martin is an isolated island, almost all types of necessary items, including food and medicine, come from Teknaf. If vessel movement is suspended for a few days, the supply is disrupted and the common people have to face various crises.”
Beyond food or communication, the power crisis has also become a major suffering for the islanders. Local businessman Zubair mentioned that electricity supply in Saint Martin has not been normal for a long time. This is severely hampering the lifestyle of the people as well as trade and commerce.
Due to the hostile weather, passenger trawler and speedboat movement on the Teknaf-Saint Martin's route has been closed since 2 July. Passenger transport remains suspended as the cautionary signal from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) is still in place.
Abdur Rashid, president of the Saint Martin's Service Trawler Owners’ Association, said there are a total of 26 passenger trawlers on this route. Two to three trawlers operate daily on a rotation basis.
However, due to the bad weather, all types of passenger transport have been closed for the last eight days. Many passengers are stranded at both the Teknaf and Saint Martin ends.
Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) SM Anik Chowdhury said, “As soon as the weather situation improves, quick steps will be taken to bring back the stranded residents safely, normalize vessel movement, and ensure the supply of essential products.”
