RANGPUR, Aug 4, 2020 (BSS) – The government has so far distributed 20,273 tonnes of rice among 90 lakh people of over 19.81 lakh jobless families as special humanitarian assistance in Rangpur division in the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
“The government continues distributing special relief among jobless, poor and distressed families to ensure their food security during the coronavirus pandemic,” Additional Divisional Commissioner (General) Md. Zakir Hossain told BSS today.
Among the 19.81 lakh beneficiary families, 16.97 lakh families also received both rice and assistance worth Taka 12.31 crore in terms of cash money, pulse, potato, edible oil, fruits, iodized salt, flour, baby foods and other daily essentials.
“Besides, the government distributed a record quantity of 19,005 tonnes rice among over 19 lakh distressed families under Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) programme before the just-celebrated the Eid-ul-Azha festivity in the division,” he added.
District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer (DRRO) of Rangpur ATM Akhteruzzaman said distribution of 5,059 tonnes of rice and Taka 2.17 crore among 3.95 lakh families was completed as humanitarian assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic in the district.
Chief Executive Officer of Rangpur City Corporation (RpCC) Ruhul Amin Miah said distribution of about 950 tonnes of rice out of the total allocated 1,000 tonnes by the government was completed among 9,500 families in all 33 wards of the city.
“Besides, the RpCC so far distributed 152 tonnes of rice among 15,200 families of the city from its own resources of RpCC,” he said, adding that distribution of 100 tonnes of government rice continues in the metropolis.
DRRO of Dinajpur Md. Akram Hossain said distribution of 2,801 tonnes of rice and around Taka 1.31 crore among 3.22 lakh families was completed so far as humanitarian assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic in Dinajpur district.
Kurigram DRRO Abdul Hye Sarker said distribution of 2,712 tonnes of rice and Taka 1.78 crore among 2.71 lakh families was completed so far in Kurigram.
DRRO of Thakurgaon Abul Asad Miah said the district administration has already distributed 1,978 tonnes of rice and Taka 1.36 crore among 2.44 lakh families in the district.
Gaibandha DRRO Moazzem Hossain said distribution of 2,293 tonnes of rice and Taka 1.60 crore among 2.05 lakh families was completed in the district.
DRRO of Panchagarh Mohammad Alauddin said the district administration has already distributed 2,100 tonnes of rice and Taka 1.54 crore among 2.10 lakh families in the district.
Similarly, the district administrations already completed distribution of 1,614 tonnes of rice and Taka 1.22 crore among 1.61 lakh families in Nilphamari and 1,713 tonnes of government rice and Taka 1.30 crore among 1.71 lakh families in Lalmonirhat.
Talking to BSS today, Chairman of Chandanpat union in Rangpur Sadar upazila Amenur Rahman said he completed distribution of 41 tonnes of government rice among 4,100 families of his union with 10-kg each so far amid COVID-19 pandemic.
Chairman of Saddyapuskorini union in Rangpur Sadar upazila Alhaj Md. Sohel Rana said he already distributed 45 tonnes of government rice among 4,500 families of his union.
Talking to BSS today, beneficiary distressed people Moin Uddin, Chand Mian, Fatema Khatun, Shyamol Kumar Sheel and Jahangir Hossain of Rangpur thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for standing beside them amid COVID-19 pandemic.