The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

BRAC, one of the largest NGOs in the world, was among the first to respond with immediate relief after cyclone Sidr hit the country on November 15 last year and has also been involved in long term rehabilitation programmes.

Under its long term programmes since December last year, BRAC built 17 cyclone shelters and 1182 houses, and reconstructed 927 school buildings and 2634 houses for restoring the livelihoods of the Sidr-affected people, said a BRAC press release.

It organised funds of US$ 1.8 million for emergency relief work from its own resources, including staff contribution and BRAC USA, and from individual local and international contributors.

Emergency relief packets, containing Tk 200 and emergency food were distributed to 184,469 households, while water purification tablets given to 69,503 people, and nutrition supplements given to 81,844 pregnant women, children and new mothers.

Besides, BRAC also distributed 42,453 blankets and 201,787 pieces of clothes. Some 2848 ponds were decontaminated and 21,499 sanitary latrines were installed while it distributed books and supplies for primary and pre-primary school students.

In addition, all loan repayments in the affected areas were suspended through March 2008 and for long term agricultural rehabilitation work and crop production it distributed 1.5 million saplings to 163,575 households.

Meanwhile, BRAC generated short term employment for 199,505 people through cash for work projects and gave disaster preparedness training to BRAC staff for capacity building.