"We need concerted efforts to face natural calamities as there is no immediate permanent solution to the floods," the minister said at a joint meeting between the ministry officials and NGO leaders in the city.

The meeting discussed overall flood situation and relief efforts.

Lauding the role of NGOs in relief operations, the minister urged them to play a more pro-active role to reduce the miseries of flood-affected people.

He also called for active participation of the NGOs in the post-flood rehabilitation programme, with better co-ordination.

The minister observed that some relief workers were distributing relief only in less-affected areas. He asked them to stand by the flood victims in worst-affected areas.

Kazi Monowarul Haq, secretary of the ministry, and Hafizul Islam Miah, director general of Social Services Department, were present at the meeting.

Representatives from the Centre for Rehabilitation of Paralysed, Centre for Services and Information on Disability, Save the Children, Concern, Bangladesh Protibondhi Kalyan Samity, Bangladesh Protibondhi Foundation, Voluntary Association for Social Development, Assistance for Blind Children, Hilary Foundation Bangladesh and Blind Education and Rehabilitation Development Organisation attended the meeting.