The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Donor countries are actively considering the government's request for 500,000 tons of food assistance to recoup food shortage caused by the cyclone SIDR.

British High Commissioner Anwar Choudhury and European Commission Head of the Delegation Ambassador Dr Stefan Frowein have separately assured Bangladesh in this regard.

Addressing a view-exchange meeting with journalists at his residence yesterday Anwar Choudhury said they are looking into the matter urgently. "We are looking into the request with urgency," he said.

Preferring to provide cash instead of goods, the British High Commissioner said, the decision in this regard would be taken soon.

He emphasised the need for taking action first and observed that buying food would involve much time in shipment and delivery to the affected people.

The British envoy said along with the government they would take the assistance of NGOs for the distribution of relief materials in the cyclone-hit areas.

Asked whether the state of emergency should be lifted for the political leaders to take part in relief distribution, he said that he did not think that the state of emergency is creating any restriction to relief distribution.

He, however, said that there should be an environment where everyone could be able to distribute relief materials freely.

"It is the government's decision when to lift the state of emergency," he said.

On the adverse impact of climate change particularly in developing countries the High Commissioner said all should work together to compensate the victims.

He said that a British aircraft was due in Dhaka Wednesday night and ferry relief materials from Friday.

The meeting was also addressed by Deputy Country Representative of DFID Sarah Sanyahumbi and Head of Press and Public Affairs of the British High Commission William Arunall-Culliford.

Meanwhile, Dr Stefan Frowein while addressing a meeting with the members of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association Bangladesh (DCAB) at hotel Sheraton yesterday said they would help Bangladesh so that it does not face big trouble due to shortage of food.

Dr Stefan Frowein in his written statement said, "A return to the street confrontational and irreconcilable party politics which characterises the pre-1/11 era would be catastrophic for Bangladesh.

Referring to government appeal for food aid he said the donors community is coming forward to help Bangladesh procure its required quantity of foodgrain.

He said there is a proposal that WFP be given the task of procuring the required quantity of foodgrain to avoid hassle in procurement.

A delegation from the EU will be coming to Dhaka on a 2-week mission to assess the cyclone damages and the post-cyclone rehabilitation needs.

Asked whether Bangladesh should be compensated for the cyclone damage by those developed nations responsible for climate change, he said scientifically there might not be a direct link between climate change and cyclone SIDR.

However, he hastened to add that global warming is causing rise in sea level for which Bangladesh and the Maldives would be the first victims in Asia.

The Ambassador said the EU would ensure Bangladesh's participation in all discussions on climate change and its impacts.

On lifting of the state of emergency, Dr Frowein said, " We are not feeling fine with the state of emergency but it is a decision to be taken by the government and the people."

Dr Frowein, however, said the state of emergency here is being handled in a very pragmatic way and appreciated the 11-member caretaker government for running the country efficiently.

The Ambassador appreciated the sterling work of the Election Commission, government officials and the military in rising up to the challenge of producing a verifiable fair voter list with photographs.

DCAB president Anis Alamgir chaired the DCAB Talk while general secretary Rahit Ijaj made welcome remarks.