UN to support victims

Expressing solidarity with families affected by the landslides in Southeastern region of the country, the United Nations System in Bangladesh has assured that it would support restoration of services and provide emergency supplies to the affected.

In a statement yesterday, it said the UN remains concerned about the loss of lives, livelihoods, and damage to homes and infrastructures in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Chittagong and Cox's Bazar.

It said the the disruption of road links and  telephone communications within the affected areas are hampering the relief response, but the World Health Organization is working with the Directorate General for Health Services and the National Crisis Management Centre to assess the health aspects of the disaster.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) are also conducting assessments and helping with the response. 

The UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Robert D Watkins has expressed solidarity with the landslides victims, and has assured the government that the UN System would continue to  support ongoing efforts aimed at restoring services and providing emergency supplies to the affected.

Meanwhile, Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishidain has expressed deep shock at the recent tragedy.  In a message to Bangladesh Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, Kishidain expressed condolence at the loss of lives and properties in the devastating landslides in Bangladesh, according to a foreign ministry press release yesterday.