ZCZC
BSS-14
FOOD-AID-RAJSHAHI (with picture)
Over 62.90 lakh people get food aid in Rajshahi division
RAJSHAHI, May 12, 2020 (BSS) – As part of the government’s humanitarian support to cope with the present troubled situation, over 62.90 lakh people of 13.97 lakh jobless and other helpless families have, so far, received relief aid in Rajshahi division.
In line with the government’s efforts to reach foodstuffs to all the worst affected people, 15,196.85 tonnes of rice was distributed among the families in need, said Humayun Kabir Khandaker, commissioner of Rajshahi division.
He said the families were given 10 kilograms of rice each in all eight districts in the division till 8 am today.
More than Taka 8.75 crore in cash was also distributed among 7,51,891 families in the division for baby food purposes and necessary other expenses amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
A total of 2,786.30 tonnes of rice and over Taka 1.87 crore in cash are in the stock at present for distribution.
Meanwhile, 1,160.98 tonnes of rice has been distributed among the families in need under the government’s open market sale (OMS) programme at Taka 10 per kilogram in the division till Sunday last.
Besides, 7.73 lakh poor and extreme poor households were given 48,000 tonnes of rice under the government’s “Food Friendly Programme” in the last two months.
Another 4,500 tonnes of rice is also being distributed among the families in need under the Vulnerable Group Development (VGD) programme, he said, adding that each of 1.5 lakh beneficiary families is getting 30 kilograms of rice every month free of cost.
Apart from this, various institutions, organizations and volunteers are continuing foodstuffs distribution among the distressed families in the region.
Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) has, so far, provided food support to more than 1.07 lakh jobless and other low-income families. Another 13,086 members of 50 professional bodies were given 76,000 kilograms of rice to lessen their livelihood related hardship.
With initiative and support of the city’s 45,000 affluent families, the city corporation distributed 223 tonnes of rice, 41 tonnes of pulse and 52 tonnes of potato among the families in need, said city Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton.
The city corporation also dispensed 513 tonnes of rice among 62,500 hand-to-mouth families from the government allocation in all 30 wards of the city equally as part of the government’s instant humanitarian support to cope with the present situation caused by Covid-19 pandemic, he added.
As part of the government’s relentless efforts of ensuring food support to all the helpless families, RCC has been providing relief support to 11,100 more jobless and other low-income households since Friday last.
On the other hand, 60,765 personal protective equipments (PPE) were distributed among the frontline healthcare workforces to handle the COVID-19 pandemic by protecting them from the virus infection in the division. There are 35,119 more PPE 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 already prepared for treatment of the possible COVID-19 infected patients.
There are arrangements of 220 beds in isolation units here and 19 ambulances for emergency transportation and treatment of the infected patients.
BSS/AH/GA/1455 hrs