Bangladesh Jamaat-e- Islami’s Ameer Maqbul Ahmad has issued the following statement on 8 th April, 2017 expressing deep concern as huge lands of crops in several districts including Sylhet, Sunamganj, Habiganj, Moulovi Bazar, Netrokona and Kishorganj have been submerged in water due to torrential rain in last one week and simultaneously for continuous flow of water from the hilly areas of India’s Assam and Meghalaya.

“The farmers of Sylhet, Sunamganj, Habiganj, Moulovi Bazar, Netrokona, Kishorganj and Bhola are passing days in starving. Foods, clothing, medicines and cashes must be sent to them on emergency basis. 75 percent crops land of the Sunamganj district has been submerged due to rainy water and continuous water flow from the hills. The paddies of the 37 water bodies out of the 42 have been swept away. So these areas must be declared as highly affected area.

The price of all essentials including rice, peas, onion, oil, chillies are on hike. The rice which was 28 to 50 taka per kilogram just a week back, that is available now at 50 to 70 taka per kilogram. All the necessary commodities have gone out of the common’s reach. To save the farmers and the locals, reliefs and other assistance must be sent to the affected areas immediately.

In this backdrop, I am urging the concerned authorities to send essential commodities, free medicines and agricultural loan without interest to the affected farmers. Besides, I am calling upon the affluent quarters, donors, voluntary organizations and the leaders and activists of Jamaat-e- Islami to extend the hands of cooperation to the victims and affected peoples.