Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader today urged the rich and wealthy people to stand by the poor and the destitute during coronavirus crisis.
He made the call while speaking at a press conference at the AL president’s Dhanmondi political office in the capital. Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has already introduced incentive packages to minimise the sufferings of the poor people through the local administrations and assured them of continuing her supports.
Calling upon the local government representatives and AL leaders and activists to sand by the people in this hard time, he said millions of people are now in “home isolation” across the world in the fear of the deadly coronavirus.
Quader said all the countries of the world, whether rich or poor, have been seeking cooperation from one another to cope with the COVID-19 situation.
Observing that the human civilisation is in a crisis now, he said the whole world is afraid of coronavirus while many people have been dying of COVID-19 every day.
The AL general secretary said the coronavirus situation is still under control in Bangladesh as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been working relentlessly and monitoring the situation to protect everyone in the country.
Claiming that the government has already taken the best possible preparedness to protect the people from the deadly virus, he said: “Apart from our existing healthcare facilities, we are receiving assistance from our friendly countries. Our neighbouring India and China have already stood by the people of Bangladesh.”
The road transport and bridges minister said the medical equipments, required for treating the COVID-19 patients, have reached Dhaka and more equipments will reach here soon from China.
“Do not get panicked. Keep patience and play a responsible role being imbued with patriotism to prevent the deadly virus together,” he said.
Asking the people not to pay heed to any rumour over the coronavirus, Quader requested them to follow the government’s instructions published in mass media, including televisions, radios and newspapers, to get accurate information on COVID-19.
“If necessary, contact the authorities concerned through hotlines and help the administration detect the rumour creators,” he said.
Quader directed the local public representatives and the AL leaders and workers to cooperate with the local administrations and army personnel in implementing the government’s coronavirus prevention programmes. AL office secretary Dilip Barua and its deputy office secretary Sayeem Khan were present at the press conference.
