The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

A special meeting of the advisory council of the caretaker government Saturday allocated Tk 35 crore in emergency aid for house building in the cyclone-affected districts and asked the ministries concerned to restore the snapped communications networks on an urgent basis.

The government sought cooperation of all at this hour of need, as Thursday night's devastating cyclone took a heavy toll of life and property.

The government further allocated Tk 2.30 crore to meet the urgent need in addition to Tk 9.50 crore allocated on Friday for the affected districts.

Chaired by Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed, the council meeting asked the Communications Ministry to reestablish communications and the Telecommunications Ministry to restore telecommunications. The Telecom Ministry was requested to send its satellite telephones to the cyclone-affected vulnerable districts.

Food and Disaster Management and Telecomm-unications Ministries and Power Division have been advised to work in a coordinated manner. The special council meeting that totally focused on aftermath of the powerful cyclonic storm, relief and rescue operation and rehabilitation called upon all concerned to work round the clock to overcome the problems.

Secretary of Disaster Management Ministry presented a report to apprise the council of the latest position of relief and extent of damage while Secretaries of Communications Ministry, Telecommunications Ministry and Power Division informed about their activities and latest developments.

It was informed that 23 districts were affected moderately or heavily, of which 12 districts are being given priority. The worst-affected districts are Patuakhali, Bagerhat, Pirojpur, Barisal, Barguna, Jhalokathi, Bhola, Madaripur, Gopalganj, Shariatpur, Khulna and Satkhira.

A total of 752 medical teams are now working in the affected areas while dry foods are being given to people to meet emergency needs.