The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The government will distribute 26 lakh tons foodgrains under social safety net programme this fiscal.

Food and Disaster Management Minister Dr Abdur Razzaque said this to World Food Programme (WFP) Deputy Director Staffan de Mistura during a meeting in the Secretariat yesterday.

He said the hardcore poor in the country's northern areas got rid of from "monga" following the government's ongoing social safety net programme this year.

Dr. Razzaque , however, said that the government has conducted employment generation programme for cyclone aila and monga affected 16 districts.

"Bangladesh will be the badly affected country due to global worming. So UN WFP should play a positive role by allocating a portion of its climate change fund for the hard core poor," Razzaque said adding that without help from donor agencies it is impossible to conduct social safety net programme here.

WFP Deputy Director Staffan de Mistura assured the minister of extending its support for conducting social safety net programmes.

Food and Disaster Management Secretary Md Mokhlesur Rahman, WFP Country Representative John Aylief and WFP Chief of Staff in Director's Office Lauren Landis were also present in the meeting.