The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Irregularities like open market selling of relief goods allocated for the cyclone Sidr affected people in the country's southern region have been detected by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB).

Speaking at a discussion on "Transparency in Humanitarian Assistance: Risks and Solutions" at the city's BIAM auditorium yesterday, TIB Chairman Prof Muzaffar Ahmed said the relief goods allocated for the cyclone Sidr affected people were being sold in the open markets.

"We're examining the issue of corruption in distribution of humanitarian assistance for the first time," he said.

It was told at the seminar that a total of 3,347 people were killed, 871 missing and more than 5,000 injured in 16 districts after the cyclone Sidr battered the southern region of the country.

On the other hand, crops worth Tk 2,000 crore were totally destroyed. Quoting the World Bank, it was told at the seminar that the estimated financial losses from this year's two consecutive floods and Cyclone Sidr amounted to Tk 21,000 crore.

Placing the statistics, Prof Muzaffar Ahmed said there were various irregularities in distribution of relief goods. Those who were supposed to get the relief are yet to receive it.

The relief operations were also carried out in the interest of the individuals. Many have been conducting the relief operations so that they could be elected in the next general elections.

The TIB chairman alleged that there were many irregularities in relief distribution and rehabilitation work both at government and private levels. "This is happening mainly due to mismanagement and lack of supervision," he said.

Prof Muzaffar Ahmed said corruption and mismanagement in distribution of humanitarian assistance usually take place all over the world. "These can only be checked through a concerted effort of all involved in relief distribution and rehabilitation work," he said.

He also called for ensuring accountable humanitarian assistance and reaching the relief to the truly affected people.

The seminar was also addressed by Shahjada M Akram, Tanveer Mahmud and TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman.