Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu said on Tuesday that the government remains committed to the welfare of haor residents and will do everything possible to support them.
Highlighting the fertility of the haor region, he described it as one of the primary granaries of Bangladesh, contributing significantly to meeting the nation’s food demands.
Speaking as the chief guest at an exchange of views meeting held at the Sunamganj Circuit House, Dulu announced that the government will aid affected farmer families for the next three months to alleviate the hardships caused by the recent loss due to excessive rainfall.
He further noted that the ministry would formulate plans to continue this programme in the future.
Dulu underscored the importance of preparing accurate lists of beneficiaries and ensuring that aid reaches the farmers in a timely manner.
He directed district officials to seek the advice of local members of Parliament when drafting these lists. Following the meeting, Dulu officially inaugurated the three-month humanitarian assistance programme promised by the prime minister for farmers affected by heavy rains at the Bishwambharpur Upazila Parishad auditorium.
Addressing the session as a special guest, Agriculture Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid announced that an Integrated Haor Management Programme would be adopted to protect crops in the region.
His plans include the planned excavation of haors, construction of sluice gates, and the provision of harvesters suitable for harvesting paddy in water.
He added that paddy seedlings, fertilisers, and agricultural loans would be distributed to help farmers recover. Finance and Planning Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir emphasized the need to protect the haor ecosystem and implement modern technology to prevent the recurrence of such disasters annually.
Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar said the government would undertake short, medium, and long-term programmes to ensure the development of haor farmers and the preservation of biodiversity.
The meeting was chaired by the Acting Divisional Commissioner of Sylhet Ashrafur Rahman. Other speakers included Kalimuddin Ahmed Milon, Nurul Islam, Kamruzzaman Kamrul, and Sunamganj District Council Administrator Mizanur Rahman, alongside various political leaders and government officials.
