| HEADLINE |
|
Rehabilitation of flood victims now govt's top priority: Relief minister
Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu on Tuesday said the rehabilitation of people affected by the recent floods has become the government's top priority as floodwaters begin to recede in many areas.
Speaking at a press briefing following an inter-ministerial meeting at the Secretariat on flood management, emergency response and rehabilitation, the minister said emergency relief operations had been intensified while damage assessment was already underway.
"The government has decided to expedite the repair of damaged roads and continue food assistance for the affected people," he said.
According to the minister, floods triggered by heavy rainfall have affected eight districts, including the three hill districts of Chattogram Division, Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Sylhet, Habiganj and Moulvibazar.
He said 59 upazilas, 368 unions and 12 municipalities have been affected, with 609,441 families impacted by the disaster. So far, 54 people have died, most of them in landslides.
To support relief efforts, the government has allocated Tk 17.5 million and 3,250 tonnes of rice for the affected districts. An additional Tk 2 million has been allocated to each affected district from the Prime Minister's Relief and Welfare Fund. Dry food and cooked meals are also being distributed at shelters.
The Bangladesh Army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Coast Guard have been deployed for rescue operations, supported by speedboats and rubber boats.
The minister said several decisions had been taken to accelerate rehabilitation. The Roads and Highways Department and the Local Government Division will repair damaged roads under their respective jurisdictions, while the Relief Ministry will restore rural earthen roads through its Kabikha and Kabita programmes. Food assistance under the government's food-friendly programme will also continue in the affected areas.
He added that the Ministry of Health had taken preparations to address possible post-flood health risks, while damage to the agriculture sector was being assessed to determine the necessary recovery measures.
Describing the disaster as the worst flood to hit Chattogram and surrounding areas this year, Dulu said the government was treating the situation with the highest priority.
He also said he would begin visiting the affected districts from Wednesday, in line with the prime minister's instructions, after leaving for Chattogram on Tuesday evening.
Loading...
Loading...
Also read
Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
