The New Nation - Internet Edition

In the consequence of super cyclone Sidr millions of people have lost their all in the southern coastal areas of our country.

The victims are passing their days like sub-humans in half naked condition without food, drinking water and house to live in. They are suffering from hunger and disease and crying for succour.

At this juncture of great national calamity, tragedy and untold sufferings of the people we can not sit idle only by expressing our sorrows and sympathies. It is time for action and not contemplatlion.

The magnitude of loss of life and property are so great that our government alone can not tackle the situation and mitigate the sufferings of the people single handedly.

It is imperative that all of us may make all out and concerted efforts to extend all possible help and assistance and supply relief materials to the cyclone hit people to mitigate their sufferings.

We suggest that in our all districts, upazilas, towns, unions, wards, mahallas, bazars and markets which are not hit by the recent cyclone local relief committees in coordination with and under the supervision of local respectable and honest personalities may be formed.

The local relief committees may collect donation in cash and kind, old clothes, rice, sugar, salt, lentl, plastic bottles and jars, Cl sheet utensils etc from door to door from the local members of public.

The local relief committees may deposit all the donated and collected money and materials to the local administration for onward transfer and distribution to the cylone affected areas.

If the above proposal is accepted by our government, the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief may take initiative in the matter, arouse interest and moral duty among people for donation of money and relief materials and issue necessary instruction and guidance to all local DCs, UNOs and government officials to coordinate and cooperate with the local relief committees. A stitch in time saves nine.

O. H. Kabir

Dhaka