Int'l community should come up with more aid
Jim Karygiannis, a member of Canadian House of Commons, yesterday urged the international community to come up with more assistance for the cyclone victims in Bangladesh.
He also called for the countries that have pledged aid to live up to their commitments.
"The international community must do more to help the people of Bangladesh," he said at a press conference in the city following a visit to relief camps in Rangabali of Patuakhali. Humanity First, a London-based charity organisation, is running the camps.
A Liberal member of parliament representing Scarborough-Agincourt for the last 18 years, Karygiannis said the Canadian government's pledge of $3 million in immediate humanitarian aid to date does not reflect the need on the ground.
"Canada must step up to the plate and provide more assistance," he said adding that he would present a report to the House of Commons requesting immediate aid.
He said he has already urged his government to introduce a protocol to speed up the family class immigration in times of crisis in the home country.
Earlier in the day, Karygiannis met Food and Disaster Management Adviser Tapan Chowdhury and discussed the programmes being undertaken for the cyclone victims.
Speaking at the press conference, Humanity First team leader Ibrahim M Noonan said they intend to work on a long-term basis for rehabilitation of the people in the coastal districts.
"Schools are destroyed and there is a lack of good doctors. We have plans to improve schools and set up medical centres," he told journalists.
The organisation is providing medical assistance for trauma, minor injuries and disease prevention, hot meals, food packages and drinking water to the affected people.
Humanity First Coordinator for Relief Operation in Bangladesh Abdool Rahman, Muhammad Abdul Hadi from Humanity First UK and Dr Abdul Haleem of Humanity First Canada were also present at the press conference.
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