The condition of the poor people is getting worse with every day passing since the lockdown the government imposed one and a half months ago. Unable to earn a minimum income, many have become reliant on relief to survive.
Since the beginning of the lockdown, both the government and private organisations and individuals have been working together to provide essential goods to the needy.
Family-based humanitarian aid card was announced by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief. However, the list has still not been completed in many districts. Similarly, the city corporations have also not completed the lists to provide aid and relief for the poor city dwellers.
While the work to compile these lists is continuing, 50 lakh beneficiaries have been added to this food-friendly programme. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is due to inaugurate the distribution programme on May 14, after which distribution of relief will begin.
Authorities must ensure that the
list of beneficiaries is compiled
quickly in order to distribute aid.
The demand for relief among the needy is growing as private relief is getting smaller and the government’s list of beneficiaries is yet to be finalised.
Those who depend on their daily earnings such as rickshaw pullers, hawkers, transport workers, construction workers and other daily labourers have already lost a significant portion of their income and it will only decrease in the coming weeks.
With people not going out of their homes from fear of contracting coronavirus, rickshaw pullers are unable to earn in order to sustain their families. Other types of day labourers are also facing a shortage of work with many business operations halting amid the panic being spread over coronavirus.
Authorities must ensure that the list of beneficiaries is compiled quickly in order to distribute aid. Special teams should be assigned to each area to prevent corruption in the food-friendly programme. The government should focus on effective and swift distribution of relief for those in need.