53 Rana Plaza victims’ kin get aid

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday handed over the cheques as financial assistance to the close relatives of 53 more victims of the Rana Plaza building collapse from the Prime Minister's Relief and Welfare Fund.

The identities of the victims were confirmed through DNA tests conducted at National Forensic DNA Profiling Laboratory.

She distributed 73 cheques at a function at the Prime Minister’s Office on Wednesday morning.

The financial assistance was given to the family members who were dependent upon the income of the 53 victims.

With Wednesday’s distribution of cheques, Tk 21 million has so far been disbursed to 909 family members of the victims of the Rana Plaza tragedy from the Prime Minister's Relief and Welfare Fund in nine phases.

Prime Minister's Special Assistant Mahbubul Hoque Shakil told reporters that the government had given jobs to 777 persons who were injured in the building collapse.

Besides, 14 children of the victims, who have been orphaned, are being given shelter and education by Rajshahi Cadet College Home while 17 female children are getting educational support through Anjuman-e-Mofidul Islam, a charitable organisation.

Prime Minister’s Assistant Private Secretary Saifuzzaman Shikhor said that the government also made arrangement to provide educational support to 300 children who lost their parents in the tragic incident.

Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Secretary Abul Kalam Azad, Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Ashraful Alam Khokon and President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Atiqul Islam were present on the occasion.