The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh will receive around 1.2 lakh metric tons of rice worth US$ 50 million for flood victims under an order given by Saudi King Abdullah while the country was awash. A Saudi delegation led by Mohammad Bin Abdur Rahman Al-Muqalib, Director General of Public Expenditure under their Finance Ministry, on Monday held a meeting with Foreign Secretary Touhid Hossain discussing the procurement and distribution of the rice. The Saudi government has already provided 60,000 metric tons of rice, which will be distributed in 41 flood-affected districts during November and December.

The distribution starts today (Tuesday) and is expected to supplement government efforts for activating various food-distribution schemes in the wake of price hike. Touhid told reporters that 60,000 metric tons of rice would be distributed among 21 lakh families in the flood-hit districts. "The Saudi King pledged US$ 50 million, the highest donation from any single country for this year's flood victims. Bangladesh decided to receive rice worth the amount," he said.

Discussions are on regarding supply of another 60,000 metric tons of rice from the Saudi government.

Earlier, Saudi Arabia had dispatched five cargo planes carrying 7000 cartoons of foodstuff, 10,000 pieces of blankets, 10,000 pieces of general bed sheets, 9,852 pieces of carpet-type bed sheets, 15,456 pieces of tents, 2036 cartoons of medicine and 5,700 tons of powdered milk.