ZCZC
BSS-31
COVID-RELIEF-DISTRIBUTION (with picture)
23.94 lakh families get rice, financial support in Rajshahi division
RAJSHAHI, May 19, 2020 (BSS) – Over 23.94 lakh jobless and other
distressed households in Rajshahi divisioncomprising around 1.07 crore
populations have, so far, received rice and financial aid to tackle their
hardships caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner Humayun Kabir Khandaker said 18,404
tonnes of rice and Taka 10.74 crore in cash were distributed among the
families in need as part of the government’s instant humanitarian support to
cope with the present troubled situation.
Each of 15,95,695 families received 10 kilograms of rice while another
7,98,481 families got the financial support for baby food purpose and other
urgent expenses amid the COVID-19 pandemic in all eight districts in the
division till today.
A total of 1,578 tonnes of rice and over Taka 1.39 crore in cash are in
the stock at present for distribution.
Meanwhile, 1,812.85 tonnes of rice and 12,035.56 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 Sunday last, said Raihanul Kabir, Regional Controller of Food.
Besides, 1,15,902.27 tonnes of rice was distributed among 7,73,026 poor
and extreme poor households under the government’s “Food Friendly Programme”
till Monday last.
Another 4,500 tonnes of rice is also being distributed among the needy
families under the Vulnerable Group Development (VGD) programme, Raihanul
Kabir 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
tonnes of flour, 64 tonnes of pulse, 67 tonnes of potato, 2,000 packets of
baby food, 300 tonnes of seasonal vegetables and 1,500 packets of cooked
foods benefiting among around 1.30 lakh jobless and poor families in the
city.
Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton said 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, 65,066 personal protective equipment (PPE) were
distributed among the frontline healthcare workforces to handle the COVID-19
pandemic by protecting them from the virus infection. There are 42,300 more
PPE in stock for distribution.
A total of 816 doctors and 1,547 nurses are working in 172 public and
private hospitals in the division. Around 1,914 beds, out of the total 4,899,
have already been prepared for treatment of the possible COVID-19 infected
patients.
There are arrangements of 462 beds in isolation units here and 19
ambulances for emergency transportation and treatment of the infected
patients.
BSS/AH/RY/17:01 hrs