Relief and rehabilitation: ‘Flood-affected families are govt’s guests’

DERA GHAZI KHAN:

Food Minister Bilal Yaseen said on Saturday families living in relief camps following evacuation from flooded villages of Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur were government’s guests.

“Provision of food and adequate shelter is a top priority of the government,” he said.

He was talking to newsmen after a tour of flooded areas and the relief camp set up at Kot Mithan Higher Secondary School. He said rehabilitation of the affected families was imperative. “A mechanism for their rehabilitation is being devised by the government,” he said.

The minister spoke to people at the camp and inquired about their problems. He was told that there was a shortage of latrines at the camp. He was also told that there was not enough fodder for cattle. He was told that there were 830 families and 2,600 cattle at the relief camp.

The minister said the district administration should ensure daily visits by doctors. He said lavatories should be set up for residents of relief camps.

The minister also distributed food and tents at a relief camp near Wing Road and the railway station.

Yasin also visited Fakhar Bund when villagers told him that it was not secure. During the visit, he was told that 675,000 cusecs water from five rivers was passing through Fakhar bund.

He was told that water level was expected to rise.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 2^nd, 2015.