Rehabilitation schemes for cyclone-hit people

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THE response of the international community to the urgent needs of Bangladesh after the post-Sidr devastations in the south western coastal areas of the country has been quite encouraging. Many countries including our neighbours have come forward to our support in this hour of distress. Many more have pledged their support for relief and rehabilitation activities.
The nation needs to operationalise short, medium and long-term programmes for sustainable living for the people in the Sidr-hit areas. On its part, the government is trying its best to reach its relief operations to the far-flung areas. Such operations have to be properly coordinated. Furthermore, the government needs to focus its attention on rehabilitation needs of the affected people. The commitments of foreign aid will be an important input here for re-shaping the Annual Development Programme (ADP) for making the required local currency available for rehabilitation projects.
Ali Kabir
Siddeshwari, Dhaka