Anonymous philanthropist to donate $130m for Sidr victims

A philanthropist will donate $130 million for rebuilding the battered life of Sidr victims in the coastal areas of Bangladesh.

A four-member Islamic Development Bank (IDB) team, led by head of special assistant office of the bank Mohammad Hassan Salem, held discussion in this regard with Finance Adviser Mirza Azizul Islam at the planning ministry yesterday.

"The donation is dedicated to the cyclone victims in the worst-affected areas in coastal Bangladesh," Salem told reporters after the meeting.

He said the funds will be used mostly for rehabilitation and reconstruction of primary schools in the affected areas and a soft element will be used for agriculture and fisheries rehabilitation.

Asked about the philanthropist, he said the donor wished to be anonymous.

Replying to another question, he said IDB will also support rehabilitation and reconstruction projects after final assessment of the damages done by the devastating cyclone.

Aziz told reporters that $ 110 million will be used for rehabilitation and reconstruction of schools and shelters while the rest for agriculture and fisheries.

An ERD official told the news agency that an agreement between the government and the donor agency (IDB) to this effect would be signed on February 4.

http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=21226

$130 mil is a lot of money!! Wow!! I hope it gets used properly and doesn't end up at someone's pocket. Congrats to this person for this amazingly nice act.

This is a Saudi philanthropist who donated $130 million, may Allah bless him for his good deed. It should also be noted Saudi govt has earlier donated $100 million immediately after Sidr.

http://www.amardeshbd.com/detail_news_index.php?NewsID=158923&NewsType=bistarito&SectionID=home

In sharp contrast World Bank aid and loan package which has to be repaid attached to strict condition. Govt should tell World Bank to take a hike with its money.

[The aid from the World Bank, which has so far promised more than 250 million for rebuilding of the cyclone-hit areas, however is attached with 'certain conditions.' -- FE-bd]
http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/search_index.php?page=detail_news&news_id=23905


Govt should not spend these donations on 500 shelters; rather number could be in hundred as we already has good number of shelters. Additional shelters could be built gradually using annual development fund. Govt should use these donations wisely for creating local industry, agriculture and jobs. Creating village home building industry would be a good example, which not only will build homes for people but also will generate jobs for locals. South west region has always been rich in agriculture and fishery. This is a great opportunity to rebuild better fishery, livestock and agro industry. In fact if money utilized properly South west region could be much richer than it was before.

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.................... Govt should tell World Bank to take a hike with its money.

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I'm with you

Fakhruddin thanks philanthropist for $130m donation

The chief adviser, Fakhruddin Ahmed, has extended thanks to the anonymous philanthropist for donating $130 million for rehabilitation works in the cyclone Sidr-hit coastal belt.

He also gave thanks to the president of the Islamic Development Bank for taking the responsibility of managing the funds. The unnamed donor wants to use the funds through the IDB.

The chief adviser conveyed the gratitude through the visiting IDB mission as a four-member team led by MA Sattar, adviser to the IDB president, made a courtesy call on him at the Chief Adviser’s Office in the afternoon and discussed some options of using the handsome amount of charity.

According to the desire of the philanthropist, the donor wants to spend $110 million for constructing school-cum-cyclone shelters while the rest $20 million for livelihood rehabilitation of the cyclone-affected people.

The IDB mission, who visited some of the cyclone-ravaged spots, appreciated government as well as army’s role and efforts in the immediate tackling of the aftermath of the cyclone.

They apprised that they might need government’s support in designing and side selection.

The chief adviser assured government’s necessary cooperation in this regard.

The mission made the visit to Bangladesh, particularly to the Sidr-hit areas, to explore how best IDB could utilise the 130 million dollars in a transparent way so that real beneficiaries get benefited.

The IDB team, who have already met many high officials of the government and prominent NGO leaders, apprised that they would submit a report regarding utilisation of the funds to the IDB president.

The chief adviser recalled his meeting with the IDB president at Mina when he went to Makkah to perform Hajj last year. At the time he was apprised of the philanthropist’s donation.

ERD secretary Aminul Islam Bhuiyan, secretary to Chief Adviser’s Office Kazi M Aminul Islam and chief adviser press secretary Syed Fahim Munaim were also present.

http://www.newagebd.com/nat.html

Anonymous philanthropist deposits $130m for Sidr victims

The anonymous philanthropist, who earlier promised to donate $ 130 million to rebuild schools and battered lives of the Sidr victims, has deposited the money in the Islamic Development Bank (IDB).

A senior official of the Economic Relations Division (ERD) told the news agency yesterday that the money would be released after signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the IDB and the Bangladesh government.

Of the total amount, he said, $ 20 million will be spent on livelihood development of the Sidr-hit areas while the rest on rebuilding schools and schools-cum-cyclone shelters.

“They need a list of damaged schools to prepare the MoU and we're working on it,” said the official, adding that the Ministry of Primary Education identified 600 schools, mainly the primary ones, in this regard.

“The project will be implemented within two years as the philanthropist wants its quick implementation,” said the ERD official.

Islamic Development Bank (IDB) will implement the project in association with the government of Bangladesh.

http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=27954