RAJSHAHI, June 5, 2020 (BSS) – Around 1.23 crore people of 27.24 lakh
jobless and other hard hit families have, so far, received government relief
aid to mitigate their livelihood related hardships caused by the novel
coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in Rajshahi division.
As part of its humanitarian support to cope with the present COVID-19
situation, the government disbursed 21,173 tonnes of rice and Taka 12.87
crore till this morning, said Humayun Kabir Khandaker, Divisional
Commissioner of Rajshahi.
He said 18,05,860 families were given 10 kilograms of rice each while more
than TK 12.87 crore cash were distributed among 9,18,070 families for baby
food purposes and necessary other expenses in all eight districts of the
division.
A total of 2,359 tonnes of rice and over TK 1.75 crore in cash are in the
stock at present for distribution in line with the government’s efforts to
reach foodstuffs among all hard hit people.
Raihanul Kabir, Regional Controller of food, said 4,839.51 tonnes of rice
and 12,396.45 tonnes of flour have been distributed at TK 10 and TK 18 per
kilogram respectively among the families under the government’s open market
sale (OMS) programme in the division till Thursday last.
Besides, 1,38,858.02 tonnes of rice were distributed among 7,73,026
enlisted poor and extreme poor households under the government’s “Food
Friendly Programme” till the same day.
Another 4,500 tonnes of rice are 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 are getting 30
kilograms of rice every month free of cost.
Rajshahi Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton said 26,782 members of 118 deserving
organizations were given 148 tonnes of rice as the gift of Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina to lessen their livelihood sufferings.
7,400 households were also given foodstuffs as part of the government’s
instant humanitarian support to relieve the livelihood related hardship.
Apart from this, the city corporation has so far, disbursed 378 tonnes of
rice, five tonnes of flour, 64 tonnes of pulse, 67 tonnes of potato, 2,000
packets of baby food, 350 tonnes of seasonal vegetables and 3,950 packets of
cooked foods benefiting around 1.40 lakh jobless and distressed families in
the city.
Various other government and non-government entities are distributing
foodstuffs among the hard hit families to cope with the present crisis.
Meanwhile, 72,078 personal protective equipment (PPE) have so far been
distributed among the frontline healthcare workforces to handle the COVID-19
pandemic through protecting themselves from the virus infection. There are
42,413 more PPE in stock for distribution.
A total of 935 doctors and 1,669 nurses are working in 190 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 for treatment of the infected
patients.