The Independent, 8 October 2003
http://independent-bangladesh.com/news/oct/08/08102003mt.htm#A12
OUR CORRESPONDENT, KHAGRACHHARI
A high level ‘Joint United Nations (UN) Needs Assessment Mission’ yesterday arrived in Khagrachhari to review the extent of damage done by the August 26 arson attacks on tribal villages in Mahalchhari upazila.
Headed by Vincent Oreilly, other members of the UNDP mission are Deputy Secretary of CHT Affairs Ministry Zulfiqar Ali, CHT Regional Council (RC) representative Rupayan Dewan, KG Pilan and Sudibbya Kanti Khisa of FAO, Mrs Nargis Parveen of UNICEF and Mrs Rehana Banu of WFP.
The UNDP Assessment Mission yesterday morning held a meeting with Hill District Council (HDC) Chairperson Nakshattra Lal Deb Barman at the HDC office and was informed of overall situation in the district and losses of life and property in the Mahalchhari incident.
Later the UNDP team also held talks with the Deputy Commissioner (DC), Police Super, NGO representatives and officials of different departments at the DC office. The delegation was apprised of relief measures taken for the affected tribal villagers of Mahalchhari.
It also held a group discussion at the Khagrachhari Circuit House in the afternoon to determine the steps to be taken in this regard.
The delegation today will meet separately with TNO of Mahalchhari, Union Parishad Chairman, Headman, Karbari, people’s representative and local elite. Later they would visit two fire-ravaged villages of Lemuchhari and Natunpara. The team would also visit Babupara, Rameshu Karbari Para, Pahartali, Saw Mill Para, Basanta Para, Kerenganal and Durpajjanal villages.
The delegation would later submit a report to the government.
Earlier, a high-level committee comprising representatives of the Government and donor agencies was formed on September 29 in accordance with the decision of Parliamentary Standing Committee on CHT Affairs.
The government has reportedly allocated about Taka 30 lakh to 400 affected tribal families in Mahalchhari to rebuild their houses. UNDP has made a grant of US dollars 2.5 lakh.
Gonoshasthya Kendro (GK), an NGO, has already started relief work in Mahalchhari. It has distributed text books, school dresses and one mosquito net for each of the 400 affected tribal families, according to Chairman of GK, Dr Jafar Ullah Chowdhury.
It is learnt that GK started ‘need assessment’ on October 4 and rehabilitation work would follow the assessment process, said Director of GK, Saiful Islam Shishir.
Meanwhile, Jumma Refugee Welfare Association (JRWA) has called for a fresh
road blockade programme in the district from October 31.