United News of Bangladesh

The government will provide food assistance for three months to farmers in haor regions affected by flashfloods and onrush of hilly water, Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu said on Sunday. As per the directives of the Prime Minister the food assistance will be provided to the affected farmers, he said. The Agriculture Ministry has also been instructed to take rehabilitation measures, he said while speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of ‘Bidyanondo Self-Employment Project 2026’ Shaheed Abul Kashem College ground in Lalmonirhat district. Lists of affected farmers are being prepared in districts including Kishoreganj, Netrokona, Sunamganj, Habiganj, Sylhet and Brahmanbaria, said the minister. Besides, special cards will be issued to enlisted farmers, enabling them to receive monthly assistance, he said. The formal launch of the programme will take place on May 6 in Sunamganj, he added. Bidyanondo Foundation distributed income-generating support materials among 101 underprivileged families. The assistance included shop goods, vans, cattle and sewing machines aimed at improving livelihoods.

Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu fell sick on Saturday morning at Saidpur Airport in Nilphamari district while travelling to his home district Lalmonirhat. An air ambulance has already left from Dhaka to bring him back to the capital, said Abdur Gafur Sarkar, president of Saidpur district unit BNP on Saturday. The minister arrived at Saidpur Airport by a flight from Dhaka in the morning and fell sick at the lounge. He was immediately taken to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) at Saidpur Cantonment where he received primary treatment. Gafur Sarkar said arrangements were initially made to send the minister back to Dhaka on a scheduled flight at around 12:10pm. However, as his condition did not improve he was unable to travel by commercial flight. Later, it was decided to send him to Dhaka by an air ambulance, he said.