Proshika wants release of its funds to aid flood victims
Staff Correspondent
Proshika yesterday demanded immediate release of its funds, frozen by the government, so that it could undertake flood relief and rehabilitation programmes in the country's flood-hit areas."The flood-affected people across the country need immediate aid, and the government and the NGOs should go for a planned rehabilitation programme to overcome the post-flood hazards," said Proshika President Qazi Faruque Ahmed in a news conference at Central Hospital in Green Road. Association of Development Agencies of Bangladesh (ADAB) Vice-President Abdul Halim and Proshika Disaster Management Director Giasuddin also addressed the conference. The government has kept Tk 300 crore of different projects of Proshika frozen, a share of which, the officials said, could be re-allocated for flood rehabilitation programmes. The officials said Proshika possesses significant experience in disaster management and about 10,000 of its staff are waiting for the fund-release to start relief and rehabilitation work in the flood-ravaged areas. On the basis of their 20-year experience in disaster management, the officials said the current spate of flooding the first phase resulting from overflow of the Brahmaputra-Meghna river system. The overflow of the Ganges-Padma river system will bring in the second phase of flooding by mid-August due to heavy rainfall and the full moon in that month, they added. "The excessive damage to Aman crop by the recent flooding in 30 districts will lead to a famine-like situation for millions, as there will be no rice harvest until March next year," Qazi Faruque, also the president of ADAB, warned. He said, to address the situation, food has to be provided to the flood victims through vulnerable group feeding (VGF) cards until February. And immediate rehabilitation programme including medical support, supply of safe drinking water and house-building materials, repairing roads and providing seeds to the peasants could prevent the post-flood famine, he added. He said, "The huge sum the country needs for the disaster management is not a big problem as the donors are quite willing to support. What is needed is a united and concerted effort by the government, NGOs, private sector and other organisations and individuals to offset the post-flood perils." "Our staff have donated 7.5 percent of their salaries to Proshika's relief fund and are ready in the fields to run the relief and rehabilitation programmes, if only government provides the resources," Faruque added.
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