Anonymous donor deposits $130m for post-Sidr rehab
Sunday, 16 March 2008
The anonymous philanthropist, who earlier promised to donate $130 million to Bangladesh, has deposited the money with the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), reports UNB.
A senior official of the Economic Relations Division (ERD) Saturday said the donation would be released after a memorandum of understanding (MoU) is signed between the IDB and Bangladesh, following the listing of schools in the country's Sidr-hit south-western districts that need reconstruction and rebuilding.
"They need a list of schools, and we're working on it," said the official, adding that the Ministry of Primary Education identified 600 schools, mainly the primary ones, in this regard.
The list of schools would be finalised by the end of this month after having consultations with the Planning Commission to avoid overlapping, as many other countries and organisations pledged to help rebuild the schools. The final list would be sent to the IDB to prepare the MoU.
"The project will be implemented within two years, as the philanthropist wants its quick implementation," said the ERD official, adding that a quick preparation was going on beyond the conventional process of project formulation.
Of the total amount, he said, $20 million would be spent on livelihood development of the Sidr-hit areas, while the rest on rebuilding schools and schools-cum-cyclone shelters.
A senior official of the Economic Relations Division (ERD) Saturday said the donation would be released after a memorandum of understanding (MoU) is signed between the IDB and Bangladesh, following the listing of schools in the country's Sidr-hit south-western districts that need reconstruction and rebuilding.
"They need a list of schools, and we're working on it," said the official, adding that the Ministry of Primary Education identified 600 schools, mainly the primary ones, in this regard.
The list of schools would be finalised by the end of this month after having consultations with the Planning Commission to avoid overlapping, as many other countries and organisations pledged to help rebuild the schools. The final list would be sent to the IDB to prepare the MoU.
"The project will be implemented within two years, as the philanthropist wants its quick implementation," said the ERD official, adding that a quick preparation was going on beyond the conventional process of project formulation.
Of the total amount, he said, $20 million would be spent on livelihood development of the Sidr-hit areas, while the rest on rebuilding schools and schools-cum-cyclone shelters.