HAKA, Sept 4, Reuter: The Army will supervise Bangladesh’s reconstruction program following devastating floods which made millions homeless, # government spokesman said on Friday.
He said the army had successfully supervised relief and rescue operations during weeks of flooding and bad now been asked to oversee rehabilitation and reconstruction works.
He denied charges by opposition political parties that the ruling Jatiya party had squandered many of the scarce relief supplies.
The question of misappropriation does not arise at all when the army is in charge of relief distribution, he to further dispel any such possibility, the government had asked Jatiya leaders and members of parliament to stay away from relief operations, he said, without giving details.
Government officials said floodwaters had receded in most areas and people had begun to return to their homes.
Health officials said fast spreading diarrhea and dysentery have killed at least 200 people.
The floods the worst in 40 years, affected more than 24 million people, nearly a fifth of the population and destroyed more than 1.5 million tonnes of rice, Officials said.
The Government has asked commercial banks for 166 million dollars’ worth of loans to farmers. Overseas donors have so far pledged five million dollars in cash, 300,000 tonnes of grain and nearly 15 million dollars’ worth of other acne.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 11, 1987
