ZCZC
BSS-26
CPD-COVID-RELIEF
Experts for integrated database to distribute relief during pandemic
DHAKA, May 27, 2021(BSS) –Experts at a virtual national dialogue today underscored the need for developing integrated database to distribute relief during the COVID-19 pandemic.
They mentioned that the government had taken several support measures to be delivered by the local authorities (LAs), targeted for the poor and the vulnerable sections of the population, to tackle the situation originating from the COVID-19 pandemic.
There is a lack of disaggregated national-level database which is required for effective distribution of these supports, they opined.
They mentioned as a positive note that increased use of technology can be observed in delivery of these relief supports in recent times.
These observations emerged at the virtual national dialogue titled “Relief Supports to Cope with COVID-19: How Effective Were They?” held virtually, said a press release.
The dialogue was organised by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) and Oxfam in Bangladesh in association with Citizen’s Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh.
State Minister for Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman was the chief guest of the dialogue while Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief A B TajulIslam was the special guest.
Member of the Standing Committee on Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Barrister Shameem Haider Patwary was the guest of honour.
Enamur Rahmansaid that more emphasis will be given on making the relief distribution process more transparent.
A B Tajul Islam commented that both service providers and recipients need to take a moral high ground so that it becomes possible to distribute the relief supports to the most deserving.
While making the keynote presentation, CPD Distinguished Fellow Mustafizur Rahman mentioned that higher allocation, both in terms of coverage and the amount of support provided to the affected population, is necessary in any emergency situation such as the ongoing pandemic.
He said higher unemployment, income erosion, switching to new jobs with lower pay and new dimensions of vulnerability such as emergence of ‘new poor’ during COVID type emergencies, should guide both targeting and allocation.
He further stated that a massive awareness campaign about the relief support hotlines should be launched at the earliest.
Service providers must be provided with clear guidelines as regards implementing particular relief programmes and the concerned selection criteria, he added.
Among others, Policy Advisor of the Access to Information (A2I) Programme Anir Chowdhury and Nagad Managing Director Tanvir A Mishuk, Dhaka University Development Studies Department Professor Dr M Abu Eusuf, CPD Distinguished Fellow Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, CPD Executive Director Dr Fahmida Khatunand and Oxfam Country Director Dr Dipankar Datta spoke on the occasion.
BSS/PR/KUC/GA/1715 hrs