Devastating cyclone
Photo: AFP
The horrendous cyclone has struck, leaving behind a devastated coastal belt. All the details are not yet known The actual loss of human lives and properties is yet to be ascertained. We have watched glimpses of the devastation on of our national and international TV channels. These are the occasions when Bangladesh is better known to the west. This is the time when the army-backed caretaker government is required to prove their efficiency in crisis management. The damage to life and property is definitely very high, although immediate reports do not give a complete picture. One would urge the government not to down play the actual situation- a traditional governmental attitude. This is a national crisis and should be faced as one nation. The affected people need our help first before any external assistance comes. We also expect that the government would assess positively the potential of popular support of the politicians and the political parties, and allow them to come forward to assist in the effort of the government to mitigate the sufferings of the millions of men, women and children in the affected areas. The politicians should move freely among the affected people and extend necessary help and assistance to supplement the government efforts to overcome the present crisis. It would also be necessary to coordinate the efforts of the government and the NGOs with a clear guideline and authority. We can easily anticipate the types of needs of the suffering millions. Therefore, in choosing NGOs for active partnerships, it would be necessary to choose the specialised NGOs for specialised service. We hope and pray, God willing, we shall overcome the crisis. What we need is proper assessment, proper use of resources and proper direction of work. We sincerely hope and pray that Allah the Merciful will help us overcome the crisis, but we all need to do our part honestly with dedication.
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