Barrister Mir Helal Uddin, State Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, has said people affected by the recent floods in Bandarban will be rehabilitated in phases. Instalments and interest on loans taken by small women entrepreneurs from various NGOs have also been waived for one month, and talks are under way with the authorities concerned on extending this by another month or two.

He was speaking as chief guest at a relief distribution for flood victims at the Bandarban Hill District Council rest house on Friday, 17 July.

The state minister said the Prime Minister is keeping constant watch on the flood situation. The Prime Minister is giving regular directions on how much damage has been done where, how badly people's lives have been disrupted and what steps are needed to restore normality quickly, and is sending representatives into the field.

Natural disasters are beyond human control, he said, but the government is doing its utmost to reduce losses and stand by those affected. Government offices, elected representatives and party leaders and activists are working together.

Mir Helal Uddin said small women entrepreneurs in the hill districts run businesses with loans from various NGOs. In view of the flood losses, their loan instalments and interest have been waived for one month, and discussions with the authorities concerned are continuing on whether this period can be extended.

Although it is not possible to rehabilitate everyone at once, the worst-hit families will be rehabilitated first on a priority basis, followed by others in phases, he said.

He urged farmers whose crops and farming had been damaged to contact the agriculture department. Livestock in flood-hit areas will also be vaccinated free of charge. He said Tk 20 lakh, along with adequate relief goods, has already been given to the deputy commissioner from the Prime Minister's relief fund, and more will be allocated if needed. Everyone in government, including the Prime Minister, is working day and night so that flood-hit people can quickly find relief, he said.

Present at the relief distribution were Professor Thanzama Lusai, chairman of Bandarban Hill District Council; Saching Pru Jerry, MP for Bandarban; Advocate Mabodhi Marma, MP for a reserved women's seat; deputy commissioner Md Saniul Ferdous; and superintendent of police Md Wahabul Islam Khandaker, along with senior administration officials.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.