State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit on Wednesday assured flood victims in Bandarban that the government would extend equal support to all affected people and would not discriminate among communities during relief and rehabilitation efforts.
Speaking to reporters after distributing relief materials among flood victims at Balaghata in Bandarban, Amit said the government was making its highest efforts to ease the suffering caused by heavy rainfall and flash floods in the district.
“No one affected by the disaster will be abandoned. Whether they are indigenous people, Bengalis or members of any other community, everyone has suffered equally. There will be no discrimination, and the government is working with utmost sincerity to reduce their hardship,” he said.
The state minister said he visited Bandarban on the instructions of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to assess the flood situation and oversee relief activities.
He said local lawmaker Saching Pru Jerry, the district administration, police and other government agencies had been conducting rescue, relief and rehabilitation operations since the beginning of the disaster.
Amit said cooked meals were being provided to people staying at flood shelters, while dry food was being distributed among those outside the shelters. Medical teams were also providing healthcare services to affected residents.
He said the government would introduce food assistance and food-friendly programmes soon to help flood victims buy essential goods at subsidised prices. He added that damaged houses would be repaired or rebuilt gradually so families could return home as quickly as possible.
The minister also said post-flood clean-up operations would be launched involving the local administration, municipality, elected representatives and political activists to remove mud and waste and prevent disease outbreaks.