SIRAJGANJ. Nov 10: An acute crisis of construction materials has been prevailing In the flood affected areas of the district. Construction materials like bamboo, straw and jute-stick have become dear in the village markets.

Most of the houses of poor people were damaged by the devastating flood causing substantial losses to them.

At present reconstruction of houses has become the prime need of people in villages. But acute crisis of bamboo and other house building materials has caused price-hike of the materials.

With a view Io making windfall profit some unscrupulous traders have been bringing the items from distance places and are selling those al exorbitant prices. Poor people are unable to purchase house building materials as they are financially not solvent. They are now In need of financial help from government or non-government organisations to reconstruct their flood ravaged houses.

It may be mentioned tliat total population of the district Is over 27 lakh and five out of nine upazilas now under the River Jamuna belt area and more than 13 lakh people have been affected by flood. One lakh kutcha houses have been damaged either partially or totally.

Those who have lost their houses completely are still living in open spaces or in any temporary. Inspltc of their best efforts they are unable to reconstruct their houses as they did not get building grant from the government.

UNO official report said that 20.625 houses have been damaged fully and 30 thousand houses partially by the prolonged flood. Over one lakh people are passing hard days in open spaces and along the embankment and roads.

Out of the total homeless people 3542 in Karipur. 4.225 In Sirajganj Sadar 10.452 tn Shajadpur 2225 in Chouhall and 4.225 in Belkuchl upazilas are waiting for loans to rebuild their houses. For months together these people have been living under the open sky or on the high lands.

Though flood waters have receded these people could not reconstruct their houses. They arc eagerly waiting for the reconstruction and rehabilitation programme of the government. The affected people are regularly visiting the chairmen and members concerned of the unions, but are not getting any word of hope from them.