Hasina, Khaleda urged to visit Aila-hit areas

Speakers at a press conference yesterday called upon the prime minister and the opposition leader to visit the cyclone Aila-hit southwestern region of the country to see sufferings and hardships the victims enduring for the last 11 months.
They demanded formation of an all-party parliamentary body to monitor all works in the cyclone affected coastal districts of Khulna and Satkhira.
They also demanded immediate supply of safe drinking water in the affected areas and take initiative to create employment for the cyclone survivors.
Nagorik Sanghati and Campaign for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods jointly organised the press conference to inform people of the latest situation after visiting the affected areas recently.
In a written statement, Sharifuzzaman Sharif, general secretary of the Nagorik Sanghati, said the ordeals of the people have not been over even after 11 months of the cyclone as they are still leading an inhuman life on the roads without shelter, food and work.
Though the entire area is surrounded by water, there is no source of safe drinking water, he said.
Sharif said they have not seen any initiative to rebuild the damaged embankments during their visit though the food minister had announced to take punitive actions against officials concerned if the embankments were not repaired by April 15.