The Sajek people

Driving around in a big WFP-jeep, accompanied by a three men strong police escort. It’s surreal. Visiting one of the most remote and poorest areas in the CHT. Shots from the eight o’clock journal are happening in front of me. A woman kept away from her child, with more then words. A market that is being boycotted because of the struggle between indigenous and Bengali people. It has become a ghost town. The shops are all closed but a few. Old people, little more then a skeleton, wander around. It’s intimidating most moments, heart breaking and unbelievable at others. My first visit out of the very small Khagrachari centre is one of the most impressive moments of my life so far.

We’re handing out food and rice today in Sajek area, to the Sajek people. With all crops destroyed by rodents, two years ago, the Sajek people were left only with houses and clothes. They were left without food in one of the most remote and marginalized areas of the, already poor, country. No food, no way to grow new crops and because of violent struggles between different ethnic groups, support by NGO’s (non governmental organizations) was not possible. ALO is currently the only NGO running a project in the area. A project that ends in two months. In two months the Sajek people will run out of food.

The Sajek people who work hard to receive support from ALO. The Sajek people who build roads and playing fields for fifteen days each month. The Sajek people who walk two days with 45 kg of food on their head & 10 euro in their pocket to reach their village. Two days and forty-five kg. Forty-five kg carried by small guys of the same weight. And within two months, nothing. No work, no walk, no money, no food…