RAJSHAHI, May 21, 2020 (BSS) – The government has, so far, distributed
18,629 tonnes of rice and over Taka 11.27 crore in cash among the families in
need in Rajshahi division as part of its instant humanitarian support to
tackle the present COVID-19 related troubled situation.
Around 24.69 lakh jobless and distressed households comprising over 1.11
crore population received the rice and cash support amid the hardships being
caused by the pandemic in all eight districts in the division till 8am today.
Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner Humayun Kabir Khandaker said each of
16,22,695 families received 10 kilograms of rice while another 8,47,209
families got the cash support for baby food purpose and other urgent expenses
amid the crisis.
A total of 2,003 tonnes of rice and over Taka 1.26 crore in cash are in
the stock at present for distribution.
Meanwhile, 2,181.24 tonnes of rice and 12,089.54 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 Tuesday last, said Raihanul Kabir, regional controller of food.
Besides, 1,21,544.98 tonnes of rice was distributed among 7,73,026
enlisted poor and extreme poor households under the government’s “Food
Friendly Programme” till Wednesday 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 continuously.
Rajshahi City Corporation has, so far, disbursed 376 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 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, 68,070 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 47,315 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.