Disaster management and relief adviser Farooq-e-Azam on Wednesday revealed that the interim government is working on a new food-livelihood assistance scheme for people living below the poverty line.

He made the announcement while addressing a discussion session titled “Multi-Stakeholder Discussion on Post-Flood Recovery and Rehabilitation Efforts” organised by BRAC.

Referring to unemployment and ultra-poverty as “disasters in and of themselves,” he revealed the scheme that would provide monthly food assistance of Tk1,000 and livelihood support of Tk2,000 to 75,000 families in 75 upazilas, where population share below poverty-line exceed 50%.

The targeted 75 upazilas will be part of the initial phase of an elaborate plan, he noted.

The total cost of this initiative is expected to be Tk819 crore over the next three years.

He also noted that the Ministry’s operations have significantly accelerated compared to previous efforts.

The adviser said that coordinated cooperation is required among public-private organisations, NGOs, microcredit providers and volunteers to deal with natural disasters.

He further said that young students, volunteers, local people as well as public and private organisations responded remarkably to provide assistance in the flood affected areas in August.