The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Gano Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain called for a coordinated effort to face the national catastrophe that emerged from the severe cyclone and its aftermath in the south-western coastal belt of the country.

Leaders of the Forum made this call yesterday at a press conference at the National Press Club following four of its relief teams returned to the capital after visiting the cyclone affected areas. Dr Kamal Hossain said it was time for the Government to take a coordinated multi-purpose initiative to face natural catastrophe.

The country needs a strong coordinated relief distribution to save the cyclone hit people, he added. Dr Kamal said that the country needed to develop a comprehensive national strategy for protection from cyclone, tornado and tidal bore, as climate change threatens to aggravate future devastation from these sources.

He emphasised on continuing adequate supply of essential food items, drinking water, water purifying tablets, baby food, warm clothes, agricultural implements for cultivation, as many areas specially the char-lands were facing acute crises of these after the calamitous storm.

He also urged the NGOs and bank authorities to waive loans to the poor and refrain from collecting installments for the time being, as their income sources were totally destroyed after losing livestock and crops, they were facing destitution. Now the people need urgently debt relief and interest-free loans, he added.

Bangladesh will have to raise the issues of climate change and global warming at the Bali conference in Indonesia, as the issues threaten future devastation in Bangladesh, he added.

Replying to a question he said, arrival of the USA marine ships to provide humanitarian assistance for the victims was not a violation of the Constitution.

He said the armed forces from USA, Saudi Arabia and many other countries came forward to help the Bangladeshi people after the natural disasters in 1970 and 1991.

He urged all to come forward with the right approach to help in the relief work.

Presidium members of the party Adv Zahirul Islam, Pankaj Bhatracharyia, SM Altaf, general secretary Saifuddin Ahmed Manik, joint general secretary Adv Subrata Chowdhury, organising secretary Mostafa Mohsin Mantu and Mustak Ahmed, among others, were present at the conference.