Photo : PID

KHAGRACHHARI, July 19, 2026 (BSS) - State Minister for Land and Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Mir Mohammed Helal Uddin today said the government will continue providing all necessary assistance to help people affected by floods in the hill districts return to normal life as quickly as possible. 

 Measures are being taken to prepare lists of affected families and provide rehabilitation, food assistance, agricultural incentives, and temporary suspension of NGO loan installments, he said.
He made the remarks today while addressing a rice distribution programme for flood victims as the chief guest at the grounds of Choungrachhari Government Primary School in Mahalchhari Upazila in the district. The event was organized by the Khagrachhari Hill District Council.

As part of the government's relief activities and review of the overall flood situation in the three hill districts, the state minister visited Khagrachhari today. 

During the visit, he inaugurated an Open Market Sale (OMS) programme at Maischhari Bazar in Mahalchhari, where rice and flour are being sold at subsidized prices under the Food Ministry's initiative for flood-affected people.

The state minister said the government has launched emergency food assistance and subsidized sales of essential food items to help flood-hit communities recover quickly. 

He added that the OMS programme will be expanded nationwide from August.

He said the government's advance preparedness helped keep the damage from the recent floods comparatively low. 

So far, 1,300 metric tons of rice and Tk 6 million in cash assistance have been distributed across the three hill districts, he said. 

Shelter centers have been opened in various locations, agricultural incentives are being distributed to farmers, and free vaccinations against foot-and-mouth disease have been provided for livestock, he said.

Helal Uddin said the government has requested the relevant NGOs to waive at least one month's loan installments and interest for families repaying microcredit loans. In addition, damaged homes will be identified and rehabilitation arrangements will be made for affected households, he said.

He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is keeping constant track of the situation of flood-affected and marginalized communities and has attached the highest priority to their swift rehabilitation. 
The government, he added, stands by flood victims regardless of political affiliation and will continue to do so in the future.

The state minister further said that the current government considers the people to be the true owners of the country and is working to build a dignified Bangladesh. 

He emphasized that the development of the Chittagong Hill Tracts remains a special priority and called for everyone's cooperation in implementing the Prime Minister's vision of building a "Rainbow Nation."

Later, the state minister held a meeting at the Khagrachhari District Circuit House with senior government officials, political leaders, and local distinguished citizens to discuss the district's overall situation.