RAJSHAHI, May 16, 2020 (BSS) – Above 61.71 lakh population of around 13.72 lakh distressed and jobless families have, so far, received relief assistance as part of the government’s uninterrupted humanitarian support to mitigate the present hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in Rajshahi division.
“The families in need were given 10 kilograms of rice each in all eight districts in the division till 8 am today,” said Humayun Kabir Khandaker, commissioner of Rajshahi Division.
He said 16,654.48 tonnes of rice was distributed in line with the government’s continuous efforts to reach foodstuffs to all the worst affected people.
More than Taka 9.43 crore in cash was also distributed among 7,85,650 families in the division for baby food purpose and other urgent expenses amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
A total of 2,678.67 tonnes of rice and over Taka 2.18 crore in cash are in the stock at present for distribution.
Meanwhile, 1,378.18 tonnes of rice and 11,981.56 tonnes of flour have been distributed at Taka 10 and Taka 18 per kilogram respectively among the needy families under the government’s open market sale (OMS) programme in the division till Thursday, said Raihanul Kabir, Regional Controller of Food.
Another 4,500 tonnes of rice is also being distributed among the needy families 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.
Rajshahi City Corporation has, so far, disbursed 375 tonnes of rice, five tones of flour, 64 tonnes of pulse, 67 tonnes of potato, 2,000 packets of baby food, 300 tonnes of seasonal vegetables and 1,200 packets of cooked foods benefiting among around 1.30 lakh jobless and poor families in the city amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.
“We have distributed the relief materials among the families in need at the directive of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” said city Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, adding foodstuffs will also be distributed among 7,400 people as the gift of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina before the Eid-ul-Fitr.
On the other hand, 61,756 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 42,143 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 the total 4,149, have already been 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.