RAJSHAHI, May 10, 2020 (BSS) – Over 62.26 lakh people of 13.83 lakh jobless
and less-incoming families have, so far, been brought under relief support as
part of the government’s instant humanitarian support to cope with the present
troubled situation caused by novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic in Rajshahi
division.
“We have distributed 14,996.85 tonnes of rice among the needy families till
8 am today in line with the present non-stop efforts of reaching foodstuffs to
all the worst affected people,” said Humayun Kabir Khandaker, Commissioner of
Rajshahi Division.
He said the beneficiary families were given ten kilograms of rice each in
all eight districts in the division.
More than Taka 8.57 crore in cash was also distributed among 7,39,651
families in the division for baby feed purposes and other necessary expenses
amidst the present adverse impact of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Besides, 1,886.30 tonnes of rice and over Taka 1.31 crore in cash are in
stock at present for distribution.
Around 7,73,026 poor and extreme poor households were given 48,000 tonnes
of rice under the government’s “Food Friendly Programme” over the last two
months.
Apart from, 4,500 tonnes of rice is being distributed among the families in
need under the Vulnerable Group Development (VGD) Programme. Each of 1.5 lakh
beneficiary families is getting 30 kilograms of rice every month free of cost.
Various other non-government development entities and volunteer
organizations have been dispensing foodstuffs among the jobless families
everywhere in the division side by side with the government efforts to tackle
the present adverse situation.
With their personal initiatives, Mayor of Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC)
AHM Khairuzzaman Liton and Superintendent of Police Muhammad Shahidullah are
seen distributing iftar packets and cooked foods among the distressed people
for the last couple of weeks here.
Mayor Liton has, so far, reached foodstuffs including 223 tonnes of rice, 41
tonnes of pulse and 52 tonnes of potato among 1.07 lakh jobless and hand-to-
mouth families with assistance of 45,000 affluent families.
Besides, the RCC has disbursed 513 tonnes of rice among 62,500 jobless
families from the government allocation.
As part of the government’s relentless efforts of ensuring food support to
all the helpless families, RCC has been providing relief supports to 11,100
more jobless and other less-incoming households with foodstuffs at present
since Friday last.
The targeted families are being given ten kilograms of rice, one kilogram
of pulse, two kilograms of potato and one kilogram of pumpkin each.
“We are distributing the relief materials among the affected families as
part of the government’s instant humanitarian support to cope with the present
troubled situation,” Mayor Liton said, adding the assistance will continue
until the troubled situation is removed.
On the other hand, 55,073 personal protective equipment (PPE) were
distributed among the frontline medical workforces to handle the COVID-19
pandemic through protecting them from the virus infection in the division.
31,336 more PPEs remain in stock for distribution.
Besides, more than four lakh emergency medicines were distributed with
21,400 in stock for distribution.
A total of 808 doctors and 1,512 nurses are working in 172 public and
private hospitals in the division. Around 1,888 beds, out of total 4,149, were
prepared for treatment of the COVID-19 infected patients.
There are arrangements of 220 beds in isolation units here and 19
ambulances for the purpose of emergency transporting and treatment of the
infected patients.
Meanwhile, the civil administration, armed forces and law-enforcement
agencies remained active to cope with the adverse situation through enforcing
the restrictive measures everywhere in the division.