Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday virtually inaugurated the distribution of newly constructed homes to families affected by last year’s devastating floods in southeastern Bangladesh.
Joining the ceremony online from the Chief Adviser’s Office, Yunus handed over the houses built under a special government housing project for those rendered homeless by the August–September 2024 floods.
The worst-affected districts included Feni, Noakhali, Cumilla, and Chattogram, where numerous homes were either fully or partially damaged, leaving hundreds without shelter.
According to the state-run news agency BSS, the interim government initially identified 300 families whose homes were completely destroyed and who lacked the financial means to rebuild.
These families were selected through a joint verification process led by the deputy commissioners and representatives from the Armed Forces Division, the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, and other nominated local officials.
The selection process considered several criteria, including the household head’s occupation, income level, inability to afford reconstruction, and the extent of flood damage.
Under the initiative, Feni received 110 houses, Noakhali 90, Cumilla 70, and Chattogram 30. Two disaster-resilient and sustainable housing designs were developed by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) in collaboration with the Armed Forces Division. Each unit includes two main rooms, a common area, kitchen, toilet, and veranda.
The first design spans 492 square feet with an estimated construction cost of Tk725,694, while the second design covers 500 square feet and costs Tk726,678. Construction was tailored to suit each beneficiary’s homestead plot, ensuring the appropriate design was applied.
The chief adviser’s Relief Fund initially allocated Tk50 crore for the project, with approximately Tk24.99 crore spent on constructing the 300 houses. The Bangladesh Army efficiently carried out the construction work with diligence and technical expertise.
“Congratulations to all who have received a home today. May the courage and solidarity shown by the people of Bangladesh during your hardship continue to inspire you,” Yunus said in his remarks.
He extended heartfelt thanks to all involved, including the local administration, LGED engineers, members of the Armed Forces Division, and officials of the Ashrayan Project.
Thanking the Bangladesh Army for completing the project on time, Yunus added, “Though this is a relatively small project—only 300 houses—it serves as a model of effective implementation that will motivate future efforts.”
Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman also spoke at the event, reaffirming the Army’s readiness to undertake similar responsibilities in the future. He informed that 298 out of the 300 houses had already been completed, with the remaining two delayed due to land disputes, which are expected to be resolved soon.
Other speakers included Farooq E Azam, adviser to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief; Principal Secretary to the Chief Adviser M Siraj Uddin Miah; and Principal Staff Officer of the Bangladesh Armed Forces Lieutenant General SM Kamrul Hassan.
Beneficiaries from Feni, Noakhali, Chattogram, and Cumilla also joined the event virtually and expressed their gratitude.