http://www.thedailystar.net/2003/11/14/d31114012525.htm

Daily Star, Fri. November 14, 2003


UNDP to provide Tk 30 lakh for Mahalchhari victims


Staff Correspondent

The United Nations Development Fund (UNDP) will provide about Tk 50 lakh
as humanitarian aid to the victims of the arson at Mahalchhari under
Khagrachhari district within a week.
Besides, the Danish government will also provide about Tk 30 lakh to the
affected people as humanitarian assistance.
The money will be spent on the rehabilitation of the affected people of
Mahalchhari and other humanitarian projects.
A report jointly prepared by the UNDP and the Ministry of Chittagong
Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs was submitted to the government this week
after assessing the damages caused by the Mahalchhari incident.
While talking to the BBC Bangla Service last night, Moni Sawpon Dewan,
deputy minister of the CHT affairs, said the report identified 433
families as victims, of which most were indigenous.
"The government efforts to help the affected people will continue
alongside the financial assistance of the UNDP," the minister told the
BBC.
On September 23, a group of Bangalee settlers allegedly attacked four
villages and set fire to the homesteads of the indigenous people.