Finance Minister SAMS Kibria yesterday briefed thp, donors about the government’s X relief distribution system arid urged them to expedite dispatch of food aid.

The donors were told at meeting at the National Economic Council (NEC) conference room that the government has started distributing food to flood victims under different programmes, but it needs assurances from donors that sufficient food aid is on the. way to replenish the stocks, according to meeting sources. When there is such assurance, "the government can then strengthen its relief activities." the donors were

told*

. Meanwhile, in response to the UN flash appeal for 223 million US dollars relief assistance last Friday, donors have so far committed 104 million dollars including US food aid of four lakh tonnes of wheat which was committed before the appeal.

The UN is expected to make a second appeal for relief soon, said David Lockwood, resident representative of UNDP, at a press briefing called by the finance minister after the meet-

the amount of the appeal and when it would be ; Launched will depend on how .fast the w^tej, recedes and the

need for rehabilitation can be assessed, sources said.

Kibria also urged the donors to advance their high priority food shipment. However, even that would also take at least one and a half month to arrive.

Earlier, briefing newsmen. Kibria claimed the present relief distribution system is the "best arrangement done and party neutral.”

"ft is the result of experience from previous disaster management and whatever negative statement has come in the press about distribution of relief Is misleading, said the finance minister. ’All mainstream relief is being distributed through the official channel and there is no scope for politicisation of the relief operation."

’ I Ie also ruled out the demand for setting up an all party relief committee raised by the opposition.

Kibria claimed that relief is reaching the furthest corners of the country and food is reaching people where It is needed because of the method applied by the government.

Speaking on the donors' response. the minister said the US has committed food aid of four lakh metric tons while Australia announced 50.000 metric tons of food aid in addition to similar amount of normal aid.

The World Food Programme has pledged to provide 2.22 lakh MT while private Importers have imported 3.5 MT in the last two months.

Canada is expected to announce its contribution in a couple of days, he said.

Food and Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury told newsmen that the first US food aid consignment is expected to

arrive by end of September. She said more supplies will start coming from October.

Outlining the government s relief activities, he said the finance ministry has allocated an additional Tk five crore in cash and 45.000 metric tons of rice.

Twenty-five lakh people will be given cards under tne vulnerable group feeding (VGF) programme, she said adding that half the cards have already been distributed. Some 107000 metric tons of rice have been allocated for the VGF programme. Under gratuitous relief 61200 MT rice has been allocated, she noted.

The minister also said Tk five crore has been allocated for house building in the flood affected areas and another Tk 12 crore will soon be allocated for the purpose. For agriculture rehabilitation. Tk 21.56 crore has been allocated and two lakh tonnes of fertiliser will be imported.

"We are talking about rehabilitation of the flood-hit projects with the donors." Kibria said. "We have requested them to rehabilitate their own projects."