Bangladesh News

Brac has decided to write off micro-finance loans amounting to Tk 100 crore in the areas devastated by cyclone Sidr.

The decision was taken yesterday based on the NGO’s initial assessment in the Sidr-affected areas, says a press release.

Brac had decided earlier not to collect micro-finance instalments from its borrowers in the cyclone-battered southern region until March.

Moreover, it will continue disbursing loans to the affected borrowers with a view to generate economic activities.

Brac has employed about 2,500 staff for distributing relief materials in the affected areas and undertaken rehabilitation programme in different sectors including agriculture, fisheries and livestock. It raised Tk 40 crore for rehabilitation in the first phase and has a plan to raise further Tk 200 crore for long-term rehabilitation.

Relief items including rice, lentil and biscuits worth over Tk 12 crore were distributed among 1,84,000 households till yesterday. Besides, cash grants of Tk 3 crore have been disbursed.

Besides, 13 medical teams assigned by the NGO have treated 18,520 patients in the affected areas.