The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday suggested that the NGOs be lenient in recovering instalment of old loans from the cyclone survivors and communicate their decisions to this effect clearly to all concerned at the field level to avoid any misunderstanding.

Dr Fakhruddin said this at a meeting with representatives of different non-government organizations (NGOs) working in the cyclone-hit areas at his office here.

LGRD Adviser M Anwarul Iqbal and Agriculture Adviser Dr CS Karim were present.

Representatives from Grameen Bank and BRAC, ASA, PKSF, CODEC, World Vision, RRF, TMSS, Padakkhep, Shapla Phul, Hilful Fuzul, Uddipan and Sankalpa attended the meeting.

The meeting was informed that Grameen Bank had clearly announced that it would not recover any instalment of loans from the borrowers of the cyclone-hit areas till June 30, 2008.

The Chief Adviser hoped that other NGOs working in the coastal belt would also take such decisions in their own way considering the ground realities and engage themselves in the massive rehabilitation programme.

Grameen Bank has also declared the recoverable old loans as interest free. Besides, it has decided to exempt loans with interest of the borrowers who lost their lives during cyclone. The Bank will also return the savings of the deceased.

It said it will provide Taka 327 crore in loans for the cyclone Sidr victims for earning livelihood and Taka 65 crore interest-free loans for rebuilding their houses.

ASA said it would distribute Taka 5.9 crore interest-free loans. It has exempted loans of those killed in the cyclone and the survivors who lost their all assets.

It waived 50 percent loan of the disabled and the persons who lost three-fourths of their assets.

PKSF has withheld realization of instalments of its loans in the cyclone-stricken areas. It will disburse new loans among the affected people and return savings of the members as per requirement.

PKSF will give loans to the cyclone victims at a nominal service charge and formed a fund of Taka 50 crore for giving interest-free loans for house rebuilding.

The NGO representatives told the meeting that they are conducting relief and rehabilitation programmes in the cyclone- ravaged areas in a good coordination with the local administration.

Dr Fakhruddin directed the NGOs working in the cyclone-hit areas in the southern region to carry out relief and rehabilitation operation in coordination with the government programme to avoid duplication and overlapping.

Such coordination will give maximum benefit to the affected people, he added.

Pointing to three targets of the government rehabilitation programme in cyclone devastated areas, the Chief Adviser said immediate relief, immediate rehabilitation and long-term rehabilitation programme should be accomplished successfully.

The NGOs should supplement their rehabilitation activities with the government programmes to restore normal life rapidly in the coastal belt, he added.

Dr Fakhruddin informed the NGO representatives of the government's rehabilitation programme and his Monday's meeting with the development partners.

Secretary of the Chief Adviser's Office Kazi M Aminul Islam, Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim, LGRD Secretary, Agriculture Secretary, Education Secretary, Primary and Mass Education Secretary, Health Secretary and DG of NGO Bureau were present.