BSS, Dhaka

The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief has planned to provide financial aid to poor people in 61 upazilas for lifting them out of poverty.

“51% of the population live below the poverty line in 61 upazilas. We are taking a programme to provide food and livelihood assistance to bring out the people from below the poverty line,” Disaster Management and Relief Adviser Faruk E Azam, Bir Protik, told BSS.

During the maiden 100 days of the interim government, the ministry has prioritised reducing poverty at the grassroots considering poverty as a disaster.

The adviser said each family will get Taka 1000 for food and Taka 2000 for livelihood support under the programme.

“The programme will be implemented on a pilot basis in 61 upazilas where 50% of people are living below the poverty line,” he said.

Among the 61 upazilas, the highest number of 24 are in the Rangpur Division, 14 in three hilly districts in Chattogram Hill Tracts under Chattogram Division, 10 upazilas in Kishoreganj district under Dhaka Division, five upazilas in Khulna Division, seven in Mymensingh Division and one in Barishal Division.

Besides, the ministry will implement the programme on a pilot basis in 14 other upazilas where 47% of people are suffering from malnutrition.

Among the 14 upazilas, five are in the Sylhet division, four in Chattogram, two in Rajshahi, and one each in Rangpur, Mymensingh and Barishal.

Faruk E Azam said they are urging donor organizations including NGOs to engage with the programme to help reduce poverty.

About the relief and rehabilitation programme for flood in different districts across the country in August and September, he said the government put its highest efforts to stand by the flood victims by ensuring required relief goods, medicines and healthcare during the period of flood.

Now the ministry is carrying out a rehabilitation programme for the flood victims, he added.

The disaster management and relief ministry has allocated Taka 4.75 crore (cash) and 37,500 bags or sacks of dry food for flood victims in 43 districts including flood-affected ones of the country from August 6 to October 29, according to the ministry.

Besides, the ministry allocated 8900 metric tonnes of rice, Taka 2.90 crore for baby food and Taka 2.90 cr for buying fodder as part of relief efforts during the period.

He said the ministry has allocated 1800 bundles of corrugated iron (CI) sheets and Taka 54 lakh for repairing of houses damaged in the flood.

Faruk E Azam said that coordinated cooperation is required among public-private organisations, NGOs, microcredit providers and volunteers to deal with natural disasters.

He said young students of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, volunteers, local people, and public and private organisations responded remarkably well to assist the flood-affected areas in August.

The adviser said measures are underway to restore normal life and livelihood in the flood-affected areas.

He said the ministry is working to identify the causes of prolonged waterlogging in the low-lying areas to take measures accordingly.