Succour to victims

*Rice: 21,5,50 metric tons *Cash: Tk 3.22 crore *Dry food: 84,000 cartons *Tents: 7,500 sets *CI sheets 1,600 bundles

block
Kazi Zahidul Hasan :
The government has stepped up its relief operations to provide succour to the flood affected people.
Heavy monsoon rain and onrush of water from upstream led to rise in major rivers causing flooding to low-lying areas of the country.
So far 21 districts have affected by flood, according to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief.
Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced in the northern, northeastern, and coastal districts due to the flood.
The affected districts are Chattogram, Bandarban, Khagrachhari, Rangamati, Cox’s Bazar, Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Sunamganj, Habiganj, Netrokona, Sylhet, Bogura, Gaibandha, Kurigram, Moulvibazar, Feni, Brahmanbaria, Sherpur, Tangail, Jamalpur and Sirajganj.
State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Enamur Rahman and Senior Secretary of the Ministry Shah Kamal on Wednesday  
visited the flood ravaged Sunamganj district and took part in relief operations.
The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief has so far distributed 21,550 metric tons of rice, Tk 3.22 crore in cash, 84,000 cartons of dry food, 7,500 sets tents and 1,600 bundles CI sheets to the flood affected people in 21 districts.
On Wednesday, the World Food Programme (WFP) extended its food assistance to 5000 deluge affected families at two villages in Kurigram district.
 “We have already intensified relief operation to help overcome the sufferings of the flood affected people,” Md Akram Hossain, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, told The New Nation yesterday.
He said the Ministry’s relief operation, which begun on July 1, is going on full swing with the support of local administration and local MPs.
Apart from the Ministry’s disaster response, the local administrations (DCs, UNOs) have also extended hands to the flood victims.
“They have also stepped up efforts to rescue stranded people. Vulnerable people have already been shifted to flood shelters,” said Md Akram Hossain.
He further said the Ministry was monitoring the situation round-the-clock and was in close touch with local administration and other relevant agencies to provide succour to the flood affected people.
When asked, Md Akram Hossain said, “We have plenty of relief materials to face any emergency situation. The government will also provide all-out support to the flood victims.”
block