Be sensitive, prove social accountability
Chief Adviser (CA) Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday said the nation is facing a catastrophe caused by the deadly cyclone Sidr and urged all irrespective of party and opinion to come forward in aid of the affected people.
"There is no alternative to concerted and united efforts to effectively combat this national catastrophe," he said in an address to the nation over state-owned radio and television yesterday, a day after witnessing the scenes of devastation along the country's southern coast.
Fakhruddin, who cancelled his visit to Uganda to attend the Commonwealth Summit, scheduled for November 23-25, in view of the exigencies at home, expressed the hope that all irrespective of party affiliation would come forward in helping out the helpless and distressed humanity.
The head of the caretaker government urged the business community to be sensitive and prove their social accountability in controlling the price hike of essential commodities.
He said the government is trying utmost to deal with the post-cyclone situation with its own resources. But, given the resource constraints, the government will welcome any assistance from Bangladesh's friendly countries, development partners and others.
Fakhruddin said the government has set up an effective mechanism to deliver the relief goods to the affected people and ensure their primary rehabilitation.
Referring to the cancellation of his visit to Uganda to attend the Commonwealth summit in Kampala, the chief adviser said he does not think it wise to leave the country, even if for a small period of time, in view of the enormity of the disaster.
"Let's come to keep alive the indomitable and courageous people of Bangladesh attacked by cataclysm and rekindle their hope for new life," he told the nation in an emotional address.
The chief adviser said though the cyclone Sidr was more powerful than the cyclone that hit the country in 1991, the extent of damage was less because of the pre-cautionary measures of the government.
"But there is no scope for complacency," he said.
He said over 6 lakh people from 15 districts got shelter in 2,000 cyclone centres in the coastal belt. Besides, the weather forecast and highest danger signals were broadcast by radio and television.
He, however, described a heavy loss of life and property in the powerful storm, giving some grim pictures he saw himself during his visits to the affected areas.
The CA informed that about 40 lakh people were affected in the hurricane, of which the number of casualties runs into thousands while the number of injured is much greater.
Nearly 9 lakh houses were ruined totally or partially, innumerable livestock perished, hundreds of kilometers of roads damaged, massive damage was done to crops, mainly aman and rabi crops, and telecommunications. Electricity generation collapsed.
A big portion of Sundarbans, world's largest mangrove forest with a treasure of flora and fauna, suffered a colossal damage.
Fakhruddin said the government has kept prepared relief materials and relief teams to quickly tackle the situation.
"The country will have to brace itself with post-disaster preparedness and middle and long-term rehabilitation programme after overcoming the immediate disaster situation," he told the nation.
From now on, he said attention must be given to rehabilitating the agricultural sector and rebuilding the damaged houses of the affected people.
Besides, long-term initiatives have to be taken for reconstruction and strengthening the coastal dams as well as building more cyclone-shelters.
He said the government has so far allocated Tk 35 crore for rebuilding the damaged houses at district and upazila levels.
An amount of Tk 15 crore has already been given from the Chief Adviser's Relief Fund to meet the urgent needs of the cyclone-stricken people.
Comments