Saudi Arabia to provide rice aid to Bangladesh flood victims

Dhaka, Nov 5 (UNI) Bangladesh will receive around 1.2 lakh metric tonnes of rice worth 50 million dollars for flood victims from Saudi Arabia.

A Saudi delegation led by Finance Ministry Public Expenditure Director General, Mohammad Bin Abdur Rahman Al-Muqalib, today held a meeting with Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Touhid Hossain discussing the procurement and distribution of rice.

The Saudi government has already provided 60,000 metric tons of rice, which would be distributed among 21 lakh families in 41 flood-affected districts during November and December.

The distribution would start from tomorrow and would supplement government efforts for activating various food-distribution schemes in the wake of price hike.

''The Saudi King pledged 50 million dollars, the highest donation from any single country for this year's flood victims.

Bangladesh decided to receive rice worth the amount,'' Mr Hossain said.

Discussions are on regarding supply of 60,000 metric tons more rice from the Saudi government.

Earlier, Saudi Arabia had dispatched five cargo planes carrying 7000 cartons of foodstuff, blankets, bed sheets, tents, medicine and powdered milk.

UNI