In October I took a delegation to Bangladesh on behalf of the people of Northamptonshire to personally handover monies raised during the flood appeal. The delegation consisted of Ala Uddin and Abdul Nur Rouf and Management Committee members Abul Bashar Bayazid, Shirajul Hoque and Yahya Chowdhury also travelled. The final sum raised was £24,104.00. This converted to Taka 33,303.00.
Members who travelled to Bangladesh did so at their own cost The primary reason for taking the taking the money in person was to see for ourselves just how our money is spent. We also wanted to bring evidence back for the mainstream media and the wider population. For too long, people have doubted whether relief gets to those who need it and they had good reason to do so. For the first time in Bangladeshi’s history, they Army looked to do things differently and we wanted to see how. During the 6-day visit, we met with the Army Chief of Staff, General Moin U Ahmed at the Cantonment to personally handover the draft. This was gratefully received and he thanked everyone for their efforts (See video).
Members who travelled to Bangladesh did so at their own cost The primary reason for taking the taking the money in person was to see for ourselves just how our money is spent. We also wanted to bring evidence back for the mainstream media and the wider population. For too long, people have doubted whether relief gets to those who need it and they had good reason to do so. For the first time in Bangladeshi’s history, they Army looked to do things differently and we wanted to see how. During the 6-day visit, we met with the Army Chief of Staff, General Moin U Ahmed at the Cantonment to personally handover the draft. This was gratefully received and he thanked everyone for their efforts (See video).
Later that day, we met Moin U Ahmed at his office for over an hour to discuss in detail just how our money will be spend and what sort of projects the money will be used for. He gave us a detailed explanation of the projects. Unlike previous years, the army devised a project called ‘1 to 10 multiple’. This meant that they were giving people things that could multiply. Whereas 1 kilo of rice would last a day, the army’s programme of giving people sustainable relief was different and very much welcome by all. They included: - chickens and hens - ducks and eggs - cattle and other livestock - plants and seeds - tools and machinery All of these things can multiply and offer poor people the chance to restart their lives. Our money went towards the purchase of these and other sustainable items.
Unlike previous years, the army took full control of the relief effort. They also set up an Emergency Planning Department within the army Cantonment, the first time the flood effort has been organised in this way. Battalions at 28 different posts across the country were feeding up to the minute information from affected areas. When the information is processed, appropriate support is sent to the area. This is quite exceptional and a first for Bangladesh. Senior officers gave us a tour of the control centre and how the relief effort was carried out. Although a highly sensitive area, they wanted us to see their effort for ourselves so that we could confidently relay the information back to our community.
The army accompanied us to three of the worst affected areas in Sylhet. We visited two areas in Balagonj and in Zokigonj. We were able to see for ourselves just how people have suffered and speak to them about the types of support they received. As a delegation, we made a decision to distribute rice to the most needy in these areas (Balagonj and Zokigonj) when we visited them. We distributed over 13,750 kilogram’s of rice (5kg bags) to over 750 of the most needy in those areas. We did so, out of our own pocket and because we were so touched by their desperation.
In order to highlight Northamptonshire and promote the town, we presented a copy of the 1999 cricket world cup drawing by artist Top King, of Bangladesh v Pakistan in Northampton, to the Army Chief of Staff, General Moin U Ahmed. An avid cricket fan, he was delighted with the gift and thanked everyone from Northamptonshire.
Our primary aim was to highlight and promote Northamptonshire. TV and newspapers covered our visit and the handover of the money. We have brought back video footage of the money handover, meeting with Moin U Ahmed and our visits to the flood affected areas. We are confident these will give a good all round account of how the Bangladesh Army is helping these affected by the floods and how the relief effort is different from previous years. This evidence will show Bangladesh in good light and instil confidence in the wider community to support us again.
I am confident that at every stage, my team has demonstrated honesty, leadership and represented the community in the best of light.
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