TERRA.WIRE
Up to 30 million Bangladesh flood victims will need food aid: minister
DHAKA (AFP) Aug 03, 2004
 As many as 30 million people in Bangladesh, hit by the worst floods in six years, will need food aid for the next five months, Minister for Food and Disaster Management Chowdhury Kamal Ibne Yousuf said Tuesday.

Between 20 and 30 million people need to be brought under the government's feeding programme until the next paddy harvest due in five months, the official news agency BSS quoted him as saying.

The minister told reporters he expected a full assessment of the impact of the floods, which at their height submerged two-thirds of the country, to be ready in two weeks.

The floods have killed nearly 600 people in three weeks and left many homeless and suffering from water-borne diseases.

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