Reconstruct Aila-hit embankments
Demand speakers
Campaign for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods and Youth in Action on Climate jointly organise a programme in front of the Faculty of Fine Arts at Dhaka University yesterday, demanding immediate rehabilitation of the Aila-affected people of the country's south-western region.Photo: STAR
Speakers at a sit-in yesterday demanded of the government to rehabilitate the Aila-hit people and reconstruct the embankments immediately. Coming down heavily on Bangladesh Water Development Board for failing to repair the breached dykes even after the prime minister's directives, they said three months have passed since the directive, but the authorities concerned could not even invite tender to this end. Campaign for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods and Youth in Action on Climate (YAC) jointly organised the programme in front of the Faculty of Fine Arts at Dhaka University. Nagorik Sanghati General Secretary Sharifuzzaman Sharif, who chaired the programme, said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, during her visit to the affected region on July 23, ordered to complete the construction of the embankment within the dry season. "But nothing has been done in the last three months. Even the authorities concerned could not invite tenders for the reconstruction, prolonging the sufferings of the affected people," he said. Over 50,000 people are still living on embankments in the cyclone-hit areas, he said, urging the government to take the people to a safer place immediately. Former Bangladesh National Football team Captain Sheikh Mohammad Aslam said, "We have failed to perform our duty towards the three lakh Aila-affected people even after two years of the disaster." The speakers said the prevailing humanitarian crisis in the south-western region extended its impact on thousands of people as they are living in a vulnerable condition. They also demanded a pro-people 'disaster management act' to uphold the rights of the disaster-affected people. Ruhin Hossain Prince of the Communist Party of Bangladesh and Iffat Hossain of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon were present, among others, at the programme. Cyclone Aila struck a deadly blow on the country's southwest coast on May 25, killing about a hundred people while washing away several thousand houses.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. 
Related News
Eid joy marred by tragedy
5 July 2022, 18:00 PM
Bangladesh
Sitakunda Blast: Who started the fire?
5 July 2022, 18:00 PM
Accidents & Fires
Railway’s east zone reels from manpower crisis
5 July 2022, 18:00 PM
Transport
Boy found dead in Ctg monastery
5 July 2022, 18:00 PM
Crime & Justice
Barred from rally at Suhrawardy, BNP to hold protest across country tomorrow
13 November 2016, 07:30 AM
Politics
Comments