The. European Commission (EC) has approved a grant of 650.000 euro (Tk 3.44 crore) for rehabilitation of the flood-affected people in 24 thanas of 14 districts, says a press release.

The project will involve households from the poorest sections of the rural society affected by flodd and will directly benefit at least 17.000 families.

This is in addition to flood relief grants for Bangladesh of 30.80 m euro (Taka 163 crore) under EC Food Aid and 10.45 m euro (Taka 55.26 crore) from the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO).

The project will start in midSeptember and will last for two years. 4000 houses damaged by flood will be repaired or reconstructed and sanitary latrines will be provided to all of these houses. 250 handpump tubewells will be installed to provide access of safe drinking water for 3750 families.

A total of 20 educational institutions will be repaired or reconstructed at an average estimated cost of Taka 500.000 each. To combat the rise of water borne diseases and Malaria, mosquito nets will be distributed to 5000 families.

The project will be implemented by Gonoshasthaya Kendra (GK), a leading NGO of the country. The Head of Delegation of the European Commission Ambassador Antonio de Souza Menezes presented the contract to the Executive Director of GK Dr. Qasem Chowdhury at a function held at the EC Delegation office, Dhaka.