Don’t force haor flood victims to repay loans: Maya

Disaster Management and Relief Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya has called on NGOs to refrain from forcing victims of the recent haor floods into paying back their small loans.

State Minister of Youth and Sports Arif Khan Joy, who was accompanying the minister, also spoke in support of the proposal.

The relief minister was at Netrokona’s Barhatta Upazila Chiram Tahera Mannan Memorial High School on Tuesday to distribute aid to the affected flood victims.

“The government stands with the haor farmers suffering from the floods,” he said. “We will do all we can to help until the harvest is safe and you have enough in your storehouses. I call upon the NGOs – please do not pressure these people to repay their loans for the next year.”

The proposal was echoed by Netrokona MP Arif Khan Joy, who told farmers seeking aid, “You do not have to pay loan instalments for the next year.”

Disaster Management and Relief Secretary Md Shah Kamal spoke to the farmers about the various measures undertaken by the government to provide them with aid.

“You must learn about the types of aid provided by the government and ensure you get your designated amount > No deceptions will be tolerated.”

Local farmer Ainal Haque, 55, said he had planted Tk 160 million of Boro rice this season. The flood had destroyed all of it.

This is the first time he has received aid since the floods, he told bdnews24.com. “I am afraid,” he said. “It is difficult to live.”

Another farmer, Saifuddin (60), said a significant portion of his harvest had also been wiped out. Though aid was to have been distributed in his locality, he has yet to receive any, he said.”

“It is only the wealthy who get the aid. We get nothing.”

Houseqife Saleha Begum says she received two kilograms of rice from her Union Parishad chairman. She had heard of the minister’s visit and attended in the hope of getting more aid.

A total of 330 farmers received 15 kilograms of rice and Tk 500 in aid each. But many others in search of aid were turned away.