The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

In an effort to save cattle-heads during natural calamities like flood and cyclone the government is planning to build mud-forts as shelter homes for the domestic animals.

Food and Disaster Management Secretary Dr Mohammad Ayub Mia yesterday at a regular press briefing at his office said that a plan is underway to build 1000 more cyclone shelters, of which 500 will be financed by the government.

There are presently 2,033 cyclone shelters in the country's coastal districts.

Ayub Mia said the government-sponsored VGF programme that would start in December and continue through March will cover 790 unions of 12 coastal districts. This would require 1.5 lakh metric tones of food. So far, 8,000 metric tones of food grains have been distributed, while 7,000 metric tones more will be allocated.

The government will provide funds for repairing educational institutions damaged by the November 15 cyclone, he said.

Mia said so far Tk 47 crore has been distributed in cash against house building grants.

He said some 732 medical officers would be put in place by Sunday for treating the injured people in the cyclone-hit areas.

The Secretary said 13,000 tents and 18,000 blankets were distributed among the victims. He said pond waters spoiled by fallen trees and leaves would be cleaned up.