Tk 350m allocated for house building

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A special meeting of the advisory council of the caretaker government Saturday allocated Tk 350 million in emergency aid for house building in the cyclone-affected districts and asked the ministries concerned to restore the snapped communications networks on an urgent basis, reports UNB.
The government sought cooperation of all at this hour of need, as Thursday night's devastating cyclone took a heavy toll of life and property.
The government further allocated Tk 23 million to meet the urgent need in addition to Tk 95 million allocated on Friday for the affected districts.
Chaired by Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed, the council meeting asked the Communications Ministry to reestablish communications and the Telecommunications Ministry to restore telecommunications. The Telecom Ministry was requested to send its satellite telephones to the cyclone-affected vulnerable districts.
Food and Disaster Management and Telecommunications Ministries and Power Division have been advised to work in a coordinated manner.
The special council meeting that totally focused on aftermath of the powerful cyclonic storm, relief and rescue operation and rehabilitation called upon all concerned to work round the clock to overcome the problems.
Secretary of Disaster Management Ministry presented a report to apprise the council of the latest position of relief and extent of damage while Secretaries of Communications Ministry, Telecommunications Ministry and Power Division informed about their activities and latest developments.
It was informed that 23 districts were affected moderately or heavily, of which 12 districts are being given priority. The worst-affected districts are Patuakhali, Bagerhat, Pirojpur, Barisal, Barguna, Jhalokathi, Bhola, Madaripur, Gopalganj, Shariatpur, Khulna and Satkhira.
A total of 732 medical teams are now working in the affected areas while dry foods are being given to people to meet emergency needs.
The meeting was informed that houses and standing crops were damaged massively in the storm, which slammed into the country's southwestern coast with wind speeds up to 240 kph and blew past the southwestern and central regions into the northeast.
Directives have been given to the local administrations to assess the extent of damages to get the total picture in a few days.
As telecommunication is related with power, the Telecommunications Secretary said telecommunications could be restored within four to six hours Saturday.
The meeting was also apprised of relief and rescue operations being carried out by Army, Air Force, Naval Force, and joint forces.
Airforce helicopters are flying sorties to the affected areas while five gunboats of the Navy have been sent to some backwater places, including Heron Point, Dublarchar and St Martin's Island.
Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim briefed newsmen about the outcome of the meeting. Replying to a question, he said the government would welcome if any foreign countries want to extend cooperation.
Members of the Advisory Council attended the meeting at the CA's office at 3:30pm that continued up to 5:10pm. Cabinet Secretary and Secretaries concerned were also present.