The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

French government along its citizens and French companies who are operational in Bangladesh have mobilized around 14 lacs Euro all together to help the Sidr victims. The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs alone has granted 300,000 Euro as emergency relief.

Granted three lacs Euro will be channeled through "Friendship", an NGO who has been on site since November 16 to look after the health, sanitation, relief and rehabilitation issues, said the French Charge' d' Affairs Jean Romnicianu at a press conference held yesterday at a local hotel in the city.

Replying why the French authority is financing an NGO instead of direct donation to the Chief Advisors Relief Fund, the French envoy simply replied, "An small NGO can jump into action more easily."

"We preffered to help the suffering people with our small amount till the bigger donors take over," he added.

The envoy also mentioned, the European Union so far have donated more than 8 million Euros, of which the French contribution is 16 per cent. "As France is not a development partner for Bangladesh, all major donations from French Authorities have to come through EU platform," said the French Charge' d' Affairs.

Additionally, he also informed that the post-cyclone reconstruction support is under consideration of French government but nothing has yet decided.

Mrs. Runa Khan, Executive Director of Friendship and Dr. Régis Garrigue of Help Doctors were present at the conference.

Referring to immediate relief operation in the cyclone-hit areas; Romnicianu said six doctors from French NGO "Helpdoctors" have benefited 'Friendship' from a two-week mission.

The other French NGOs present in Bangladesh, Handicap, ACF and Partenaires, also have organized relief operations, which will amount to some 500.000 Euros.

Another French company Degremont-Suez Environnement, active in water sanitation in Bangladesh, has given two water purification units worth around 100.000 euros to the Bangladeshi Army and has sent two technicians to help for a week.

Eight other French NGO have sent teams and is now beginning their operations. Among them, the Islamic Relief France has pledged 200.000 euros for Bangladesh and the NGO Solidarités is mobilizing 240.000 euros in connection with the French company Véolia (water sanitation).

Dr, Regis Garrigue of "Helpdoctors" whose team treated some 8,000 patients in Sarankhola Upazila and adjacent areas deplored the lack of immediate response from international NGOs. " This is shame and disappointing," he said.