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that was born from his head?micro-credit instalments
Abul Kalam Azad . Bhola
Local and national NGOs, instead of waiving interests, have intensified their efforts in the third week inside the cyclone that struck on November 15 to force micro-credit recipients to pay back instalments.
Cyclone Sidr killed people and damaged property in Bhola, which is one of the 12 worst-affected districts. Official statistics say more than 50 people were killed by the cyclone in the district, many were injured and hundreds of shanties were razed to the ground.
The non-governmental organisations, in the wake of government warning of stern action against realisation of loan repayment in affected areas, have only changed their strategy — they are now giving out interest-free loans so that borrowers could pay the instalment.
NGOs in few areas of the south are giving the affected families Tk 200 each along with rice to help them to pay the instalments. By doing so, they are helping the affected families and are also helping them to pay the instalments.
'We do not have roof overhead and food to feed the children, but we need to meet the demand of the NGOs,' said Momtaz of Koralia in the Bhola district headquarters on Wednesday.
She said she had paid Tk 300 on Wednesday as ASA representatives were constantly pressuring her to pay the instalments.
'I borrowed the money from another villager,' she told New Age, showing her damaged house. She said ASA had not waived a single penny after Sidr took away Tk 100 of her savings as she failed to pay the instalment on time.
Field visits showed NGO representatives were forcing borrowers to pay the instalment they failed to pay just after Sidr had struck, killing more than 4,000 people and making millions homeless.
Nasima, wife of Farid, said she had paid two instalments after the cyclone. 'They come and tell us there is no way but to repay the money.'
'If need to pay the instalment to get more loans,' said Nasima, a resident of Joynagar at Daulatkhan and recipient of micro-credit from ASA.
Hasina Begum of Koralia paid Tk 500 on November 22 to BRAC people. She said cyclone had taken everything; but there is no way but to pay the instalment.
Two ASA representatives roamed about the areas on Wednesday collecting money from micro-credit recipients.
'We are here not to realise instalments, but to give them loans,' said one of them who identified himself as Amin Ahmed. He said they were taking money from the people who were willingly repaying instalments.
After they had hurriedly left the area, the women said the NGOs representatives showed no mercy to them.
One of them was Mariam, a recipient of BRAC micro-credit, who paid Tk 125 on Wednesday.
Masuma, wife of one Abdul Kader, said BRAC had given her Tk 200 and 10 kilograms of rice November 28. 'The same day the representatives asked me to pay my due instalment and I paid them Tk 280. I had to take the money from others.'
The BRAC public relation director, M Anwarul Haq, said his organisation had suspended all activities related to micro-credit. 'We have instructed our men to distribute relief among the affected people. They have been asked not to receive repayment instalments from cyclone victims.'
'The NGO people are so heartless they would not spare me even if one of my children is dead,' said Nasima. 'Bury your child and pay the dues,' Nasima, standing in her damaged house at Dakkhin Joynagar, quoted an ASA representative as saying.
A group of women who have paid instalments showed their cards to show that they all paid the instalments to the NGOs.
In Charfesson, Daridra Bimochan, ASA and Paribar Unyan Sangstha forced cyclone survivors to pay the instalments on Wednesday.
Nasima Begum, a member of Rupashi Bangla Samiti, an association of ASA at Char Nazimuddin, said she had to pay her instalment as she was pressured by the NGO representatives. Ashura Begum of Daridra Bimochan at Purba Adarshapara also paid her instalment on Wednesday.
Alefa Begum, a member of Sonar Bangla Mahila Bhumihin Samiti, said she borrowed money from others at a higher interest to pay her instalment.
The deputy commissioner of Bhola, Belayet Hossain, said they were yet to receive any such complaints. He said he would take action in keeping with the government order against any such activities.
NGO representatives told New Age they were yet to receive any instruction not to realise the instalments.
The communications adviser, MA Matin, also chief coordinator of relief operations, at the Barisal airport on Tuesday said action would be taken against NGOs realising instalment or interests.
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