PM Urges Officials, Leaders to Aid Flood Victims

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman directs coordinated rescue, relief and rehabilitation support for flood-affected people across Bangladesh.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Friday directed the administration and party leaders and activists to stand by people affected by floods caused by heavy rainfall across the country and ensure coordinated relief and rescue efforts.

Throughout the day, the Prime Minister spoke with deputy commissioners (DCs), superintendents of police (SPs) and civil surgeons of several flood-hit districts to review the latest situation, said his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon.

He also spoke with ministers, secretaries and senior officials of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief and other relevant ministries and instructed them to strengthen rescue, relief, medical and rehabilitation activities in a coordinated and effective manner.

Rumon said the Prime Minister assigned State Minister for Power and Energy Aninda Islam Amit to coordinate overall rescue, rehabilitation and medical operations in the flood-affected districts.

The state minister will visit Chattogram on Saturday along with State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief M Iqbal Hossain and other officials to oversee the situation on the ground.

According to the officials, floodwaters have started receding in several areas, although the overall situation is still being closely monitored.

The Prime Minister instructed the authorities to pay special attention to women and children in the affected areas, particularly pregnant women.

He also directed law enforcement agencies to remain on maximum alert to prevent theft, robbery and other crimes that could occur by taking advantage of the disaster.

Besides, he instructed the authorities to ensure adequate food, safe drinking water, healthcare and other emergency assistance for the affected people.

Meanwhile, ministers and lawmakers from the greater Chattogram region have been monitoring the flood situation from the outset and remain engaged in relief and assistance efforts, reports UNB.