Adequate relief sent to flood-hit areas

Says disaster management minister

A total of 6,000 tonnes of rice and Tk. 5.5 crore in cash have already been sent to 11 flood-affected districts of the country, disaster management and relief minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya said yesterday.
Besides, 4,000 cartons of dry food and flood-relevant materials have been dispatched, he added.
“The government has identified 21 districts as cyclone-prone areas. A total of 220 new shelters will be constructed in these areas.
Besides, 13,000 new bridges and culverts will be constructed within two years for smooth communication and quick supply of relief materials to disaster-prone areas,” the minister said while addressing the DCs' conference at the secretariat.
He said the government has adequate relief materials, including food, and urged the DCs to distribute relief among the flood-affected people properly.
Commenting on media reports regarding inadequate food for the flood-affected, the minister said: “The government has enough food stocks to carry out relief operations. It has allocated relief materials in advance to district administrations more than what they had sought.
The local administration should provide information to reporters regarding relief activities so that media reports can be more informative and trustworthy.”
The minister said he had visited many flood-affected districts and directed the district administrations about their responsibilities to carry out relief activities.
The government is contemplating introducing a policy on Gratuitous Relief (GR) to distribute rice, Maya said. “The government will distribute rice under the GR programme soon at the field level as per the new policy,” he added.
“The government has taken the initiative to face natural disasters, including cyclone under the Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP) in 12 coastal districts. At least 39,365 trained volunteers have been kept ready to face such disasters under,” he said.
Chittagong and Sylhet divisions will conduct rescue operations during natural disasters, particularly earthquakes, the minister said. More modern equipment will be procured for rescue operations, he added.

Adequate relief sent to flood-hit areas

Says disaster management minister

A total of 6,000 tonnes of rice and Tk. 5.5 crore in cash have already been sent to 11 flood-affected districts of the country, disaster management and relief minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya said yesterday. Besides, 4,000 cartons of dry food and flood-relevant materials have been dispatched, he added. The government has identified 21 districts as cyclone-prone areas. A total of 220 new shelters will be constructed in these areas. Besides, 13,000 new bridges and culverts will be constructed within two years for smooth communication and quick supply of relief materials to disaster-prone areas, the minister said while addressing the DCs conference at the secretariat. He said the government has adequate relief materials, including food, and urged the DCs to distribute relief among the flood-affected people properly. Commenting on media reports regarding inadequate food for the flood-affected, the minister said: The government has enough food stocks to carry out relief operations. It has allocated relief materials in advance to district administrations more than what they had sought. The local administration should provide information to reporters regarding relief activities so that media reports can be more informative and trustworthy. The minister said he had visited many flood-affected districts and directed the district administrations about their responsibilities to carry out relief activities. The government is contemplating introducing a policy on Gratuitous Relief (GR) to distribute rice, Maya said. The government will distribute rice under the GR programme soon at the field level as per the new policy, he added. The government has taken the initiative to face natural disasters, including cyclone under the Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP) in 12 coastal districts. At least 39,365 trained volunteers have been kept ready to face such disasters under, he said. Chittagong and Sylhet divisions will conduct rescue operations during natural disasters, particularly earthquakes, the minister said. More modern equipment will be procured for rescue operations, he added.