Japan provides $2 million for flood victims in Bangladesh

Japan has provided $2 million to the Japan Platform, a professional platform of emergency humanitarian aid, to provide support to various sectors in flood-affected areas of Bangladesh through NGOs.

Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori informed Lt Gen (retired) M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, home and agriculture adviser to the interim government, on the fund allocation during a meeting at the adviser's office at the Secretariat today (4 September).

Speaking at the meeting, Jahangir said the ongoing flood has heavily damaged unharvested crops, including Aman paddy.

He stated that Bangladesh needs support to recoup the losses.

In response, the Japanese ambassador said, "Apart from the government, the Japanese private sector is also interested in working with the agricultural sector of Bangladesh. Japan would assist Bangladesh in advance forecasting of floods and damage assessment."

The ambassador also expressed concern about Japanese citizens living in Bangladesh, Japan-funded projects, and the safety of various Japanese industrial plants in the export processing zones.

In response, the adviser assured that security would be ensured for Japanese residents and Japan-funded projects.

Speaking about the law-and-order situation in the country, the home affairs adviser said, "The government has already taken various steps to maintain law and order. For that purpose, an operation has been started to recover illegal weapons. Terrorists will also be arrested in the ongoing operation to recover illegal weapons."

Meanwhile, Ambassador Iwama said, "The law-and-order situation in Rohingya camps and local areas is always at risk. In addition to the safety of Japanese nationals working there, the safety of the local population is also threatened."

The home affairs adviser, in response, noted that the internal situation in Myanmar is not normal right now.

"Their citizens are not safe in the country. Criminals produce drugs in Myanmar and smuggle them into our country. The government is working to ensure the security of the Rohingya camp and its surroundings."

Besides, he said the Bangladesh government has taken a strict stand against drug trafficking.

He also said Myanmar should take back its citizens. "The Rohingyas should go back to their country."