Tuesday, November 11, 2008

ZEPADA Press Statement on Mautaam Famine Relief

Memo.No.08/zepada/press-2008/10

PRESS STATEMENT
Dated Lamka, the 11th Nov,2008

The hungry public of Churachandpur district heaved a sigh of relieve upon the State government's final released of the much awaited Mautaam Famine relief to the concern District Administrators of the affected areas on 7th November, 2008. The Zomi Economic Planning and Development Agency (ZEPADA), therefore, expressed its heartfelt gratitude to the Government and other NGOs, including the media fraternity, who have generously contributed towards the cause of Mautaam Famine affected people. The relief assistances amounting to Rs.16.67 crores may be too little and too late considering the enormity of the calamity, however, it is expected to give moral strength and needed solace to the famine affected people

The Agency would like to reiterate the urgent need to reassessed crop damages by rodents, based on 2008 production and immediately make additional demands for relief as per its latest findings. Whatever relief assistances that came from the Government and other agencies should reach the genuinely affected families without undue interferences from any corners. The mode of distribution should be unbiased, transparent and fully accountable.

As the worse situation is yet to come, the government as well as other concern civil societies should never stop working to prevent famine deaths in the days to come. Only concerted efforts will take us through this tough time in life that revisited us every fifty years.

Finally, it is our humble appeal to all bandhs, strikes and blockades supporters, especially along the national and state highways, to kindly spare all rice carrying trucks within its purview on humanitarian ground.

Issued on behalf of Mautaam Famine affected people by,

Sd/-
(P. Thangshing)
Secretary,
Information & Publicity Division, ZEPADA.

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