25 April 2017, Tue, 3:02

Secretary General calls to extend all out efforts and assistance to the flood victims

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Secretary General Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has issued the following statement on 25th April, 2017 expressing deep concern over the massive losses of the crops in several districts of country including Sunamganj, Kishorganj, Netrokona, Habiganj, Moulovibazar, Brahmanbaria and Sylhet due to flood which has been caused by hillside coming from the upstream and torrential rain for last couple of days.

“The farmers of Sunamganj, Kishorganj, Netrokona, Habiganj, Moulovibazar, Brahmanbaria and Sylhet have become completely empty-handed and helpless due to ongoing massive floods which have been caused by hillside coming from the upstream and torrential rain for last couple of days. It is necessary now to declare the severely affected area as ‘flood affected disastrous zone’ and to send relief and other essential goods over there on emergency basis.

We came to know from various sources that as the embankment collapses, the adjacent areas and paddy lands of some 142 haors and other water bodies have been completely submerged by overflowing water. Different types of crops on huge area of land have been destroyed and in addition to that, domestic animals, fishes and ducks have been died as well. Cracks have been found in 1500 square kilometres area of embankment. The farmers have become completely bankrupt in those regions. They have no other alternative to lead their lives. It should be mentioned here that, paddy is the only source of income for the farmers of those localities. They have to live by selling their paddies and rice. So losing those crops, the farmers are passing a terrible situation now. This is why, it is necessary now to send foods, clothing, pure drinking water, medicines, first-aid accessories, cashes and agricultural loan without interest. It is the responsibility of the government to take the side of the flood affected peoples. But unfortunately, the government’s declared allocations for those flood victims are really inadequate.

In this backdrop, I am urging the concerned authorities to declare the severely affected area as ‘flood affected disastrous zone’ and also now to send foods, clothing, pure drinking water, medicines, first-aid accessories, cashes and agricultural loan without interest on emergency basis. Besides, I am also calling upon the voluntary organizations, donor agencies, affluent communities and the leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami, particularly of the flood affected area to assist the flood victims by all means.”