Tk 15 lakh Aussie grant for 2 NGOs

Australia has donated Tk 15 lakh to two NGOs working for ensuring healthcare and safe drinking water.
Australian High Commissioner Dr Justin Lee yesterday handed over the cheques to Sujit Areng, executive director of ABMS Christian Hospital, and Md Mizanur Rahman, executive director of the Integrated Development Organisation (IDO), at his residence on Thursday, says a press release.
The ABMS Christian Hospital has been working with the Garoes since 1964 at Haluaghat. From the donation, Tk 8 lakh will be used to build a multipurpose hall for the hospital's nursing department to conduct training and other activities. The nursing department is currently conducting its activities on the hospital premises.
IDO is a Jessore-based NGO that will use Australian assistance to install 52 rainwater tanks at poor households of Gopsena village at Sagardari union.
The area located in southern Bangladesh is highly arsenic contaminated. IDO will also raise awareness among the community about the benefits of harvesting rainwater for safe drinking and cooking purposes.
The funding was provided under the Australian High Commission's Direct Aid Programme (DAP). DAP is used to support small projects in Bangladesh with a particular focus on human rights and poverty alleviation.
Dr Lee said he was very glad to support these two NGOs.
He noted DAP projects this year would total Tk 4.29 million. Overall, Australia's development cooperation with Bangladesh totals A$52 million in 2008-09.