Govt's relief distribution lacks coordination, alleges Ershad
Tuesday, 27 November 2007
Former president HM Ershad alleged Monday that the government's relief distribution in the cyclone-hit southern region lacked coordination.
He made the allegation while talking to reporters at a press conference in the city after completing his three-day visit to the cyclone-affected areas, report agencies.
He also demanded of the government to import rice to make up the grains-loss caused by the cyclone Sidr.
The former president also put forward a seven-point suggestion to save thousands of people living in the country's coastal areas from the wrath of natural calamities like cyclone and tidal surge.
The suggestions are setting up of heavy 10-foot high embankments and at least three shelter centres at each union in the coastal areas, undertaking low cost housing projects, sinking tube-wells immediately for pure drinking water supply, arranging village rationing, waiving of loan interest for the worst affected people and disbursing farm loans and launching a massive afforestation programme for protecting the ecological balance.
The former president also laid emphasis on long-term action plans to face natural disasters in the future.
"People living in southeastern region have to fight natural disasters. Only massive long-term plans can save them from unfortunate deaths," Ershad added.
He also asked the government to deliver relief goods through central storehouses set up in the district headquarters to make sure that the people who are in dire need get the supplies.
"It will be good if the relief is distributed this way," he said.
Ershad thanked the civil administration, army, joint forces and the foreign countries for standing beside the cyclone victims in the coastal areas.
He made the allegation while talking to reporters at a press conference in the city after completing his three-day visit to the cyclone-affected areas, report agencies.
He also demanded of the government to import rice to make up the grains-loss caused by the cyclone Sidr.
The former president also put forward a seven-point suggestion to save thousands of people living in the country's coastal areas from the wrath of natural calamities like cyclone and tidal surge.
The suggestions are setting up of heavy 10-foot high embankments and at least three shelter centres at each union in the coastal areas, undertaking low cost housing projects, sinking tube-wells immediately for pure drinking water supply, arranging village rationing, waiving of loan interest for the worst affected people and disbursing farm loans and launching a massive afforestation programme for protecting the ecological balance.
The former president also laid emphasis on long-term action plans to face natural disasters in the future.
"People living in southeastern region have to fight natural disasters. Only massive long-term plans can save them from unfortunate deaths," Ershad added.
He also asked the government to deliver relief goods through central storehouses set up in the district headquarters to make sure that the people who are in dire need get the supplies.
"It will be good if the relief is distributed this way," he said.
Ershad thanked the civil administration, army, joint forces and the foreign countries for standing beside the cyclone victims in the coastal areas.