Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Begum Khaleda Zia last night offered unconditional cooperation to the government for overcoming the difficulties posed by the devastating flood across the country, reports UNB.

"We are ready to cooperate with the government because people and country are more important to us that party and politics." the BNP chairperson said amidst cheers from her deputies.

She cautioned that the country may face a critical situation due to the prolonged flood and asked the government to declare the worst-hit districts 'disaster zone' and set up gruel kitchens to feed the hungry people.

The Opposition leader suggested immediate formation of an all-party relief committee to ensure that each of the needv gets help. The committee will ensure transparency and accountability in distribution of relief, she said.

She also appealed to the donor countries and international agencies to provide liberal assistance to save the millions of flood affected people.

In her 50-minute speech. Begum Zia forwarded a set of suggestions to the government to overcome the difficulties and for post-flood rehabilitation.

She demanded that Tk 6.000 crore be given to farmers as soft loans and necessary Inputs be supplied free of cost.

Begum Zia criticised the government for its delay to seek foreign help for the flood victims. She said despite prior warning the party in power looked indifferent to the flood situation.

International response to the government's appeal is slow as the donors "have no trust in this government," she said.

' Had there been an all-party relief committee, the donors would have felt confident that their aid will be used properly for the affected people. Donors are now distributing their aids through NGOs instead of the government."

The BNP chairperson, however. said: "We can't live on foreign aid. we'll have to undertake massive rehabilitation programme after the flood to grow food and create employment."

About the food aid by foreign countries, the Opposition Leader said food deficit cannot be met by it alone. What is important is to give financial incentives to farmers for increasing production of food to face the situation.

Begum Zia suggested that loans should be given to poultry farms, weavers, and small and cottage industries affected by the flood.

She also demanded more VGF cards and extensive Food for Works programme after the flood. She asked the government to ensure adequate medicare so that the flood victims could be protected from water borne diseases.