Staff Reporter :
The government has unveiled a plan to alleviate poverty in 61 upazilas, according to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief. Under the initiative, financial assistance will be provided to impoverished communities to lift them above the poverty line.
“In 61 upazilas, about 50 per cent of people live below the poverty line. The government is launching a programme to provide food and livelihood support to these people,” said Disaster Management and Relief Adviser Faruk E Azam, Bir Protik.
During the interim government’s first 100 days, the ministry prioritised grassroots poverty reduction, recognising it as a disaster that requires urgent attention.
According to the plan each family will get Taka 1000 for food and Taka 2000 for livelihood support under the programme.
Among the 61 upazilas, highest number of 24 in Rangpur division and 14 in three hilly districts in Chattogram Hill Tracts under Chattogram division, 10 upazilas in Kishoreganj district under Dhaka division, five upazilas in Khulna division, seven in Mymensingh division and one in Barishal division.
Besides, the ministry will implement the programme on pilot basis in 14 other upazilas where 47 percent people are suffering from malnutrition.
Among the 14 upazilas, five in Sylhet division, four in Chattogram, two in Rajshahi, one each in Rangpur, Mymensingh and Barishal.
Faruk E Azam said they are urging donor organizations including NGOs to engage with the programme to help reduce poverty.
The Adviser said the government put its highest efforts to stand by the flood victims by ensuring required relief goods, medicines and healthcare during the period of flood.
Now the ministry is carrying out rehabilitation programme for the flood victims, he added.
The disaster management and relief ministry has allocated Taka 4.75 crore (cash) and 37,500 bags or sacks of dry food for flood victims in 43 districts including flood affected ones of the country from August 6 to October 29, according to the ministry.
Besides, the ministry allocated 8900 metric tonnes of rice, Taka 2.90 crore for baby food and Taka 2.90 cr for buying fodder as part of relief efforts during the period.
He said the ministry has allocated 1800 bundles of corrugated iron (CI) sheets and Taka 54 lakh for repairing of houses damaged in the flood.
The Adviser said that coordinated cooperation is required among public-private organizations, NGOs, microcredit providers and volunteers to deal with natural disaster.