TDS Desk:

Interim government Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Saturday laid emphasis on utilising local knowledge and expertise of NGOs in dealing with the flood situation and post-flood activities efficiently.

“NGOs are a power. We need to implement the dream of the youth,” Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told reporters at state guesthouse Jamuna following a meeting between Prof Yunus and representatives of NGOs.

The Chief Adviser had a meeting with the representatives of NGOs at the state guesthouse Jamuna that lasted for around two hours.

NGOs that are working together with the government in dealing with the current flood situation attended the meeting.

Adviser Ali Imam Majumder, SDG Coordinator Lamiya Morshed, prominent economist Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, Rasheda K Chowdhury, ActionAid Bangladesh chief Farah Kabir and Brac Executive Director Asif Saleh, among others, were present.

Asif Saleh said there is a need for international funds mobilisation to deal with the flood situation.

He said there will be a need assessment and they will focus on effective coordination so that relief materials reach out to each affected person.

The Brac Executive Director also said expatriate Bangladeshis are coming forward in addition to people from all walks of life.