The Microcredit Regulatory Authority (MRA) yesterday directed micro lenders not to collect the loan instalments for at least two months from the victims of the 17 flood-hit districts.

In a circular sent to the CEOs of all microcredit organisations, the MRA yesterday also asked them to hand out fresh loans to the flood victims and reschedule their current loans.

The MRA is the central body to monitor and supervise microfinance operations of non-government organisations (NGOs) in the country.

The regulatory body also directed the lenders to provide their affected clients with emergency food and medicines supplies from their surplus or disaster management funds.

The microcredit providers were also asked to inform the MRA within October 31 about the steps taken after the directives.

The 17 flood affected districts are Kurigram, Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, Gaibandha, Rangpur, Bogra, Sirajganj, Tangail, Jamalpur, Dhaka, Manikganj, Munshiganj, Faridpur, Rajbari, Netrokona, Sylhet and Sunamganj.

The MRA circular said the homes, farms and crops of thousands of people, who took loans from the microcredit providers, in the 17 districts have been affected by the recent floods, shrinking the income of the victims.