The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Visiting Rotary International (RI) President Wilfried J Wilkinson yesterday said his organisation will continue its support for purifying water, and controlling leprosy, polio, malaria and HIV/AIDS besides education and health in Bangladesh.

He said the RI is working for relief distribution and rehabilitation in SIDR-affected areas as part of serving the humanity.

The RI chief was addressing a press conference at a city hotel after ending his three-day visit to Bangladesh.

J Wilkinson, who arrived in Dhaka on May 17, highly appreciated the government for controlling polio in the country.

During his courtesy calls on President Professor Iajuddin Ahmed and Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed, he discussed various activities of the RI in the country.

The rotary leader said President Iajuddin praised the humanitarian and disaster relief programmes of the RI for the distressed people as well as its active cooperation in survival of the victims of different natural disasters like the cyclone SIDR and other activities in health and education sectors in Bangladesh.

The RI president said the Chief Adviser urged Rotarians to concentrate on their rehabilitation programmes, especially in SIDR-hit areas, to provide maximum benefit for the affected people.

Describing Bangladeshi people as hard-working, Canadian citizen Wilkinson said Bangladeshis living in Canada are also contributing to economic activities there.

During his visit, Wilkinson visited different projects undertaken by the RI.

RI Bangladesh District Governor Rafiq Ahmed Siddiqui, former governor Shamsuddin Ahmed and Prof Hafizullah, among others, were present at the press conference.