If any family is in dire need of food due to ongoing lockdown, they can dial 333 for assistance and food will be delivered in their homes.
Considering inadequate food stock compared to last year, five lakh tonnes of rice has been imported from India recently. If Boro rice is purchased, there will be no problem with the government's relief distribution.
Besides, the government has so far allocated Tk 574.9 crore for the humanitarian assistance to the unemployed people due to the lockdown in the second wave of Covid-19. This will benefit about 1.24 crore families.
State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Md Enamur Rahman made these remarks at a press conference at his secretariat office on the overall relief allocation and distribution activities on Sunday.
The state minister said, “Last year, the government provided various types of financial assistance, including huge amount of food items to the unemployed people across the country, including marginalized people, in response to the global Covid-19 crisis. Once again, as per the directive of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the government has so far allocated Tk 574.9 crore for humanitarian assistance to the unemployed due to the second wave of Covid-19 attacks.”
He said, “The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief has recently allocated more money for the purchase of baby food in favor of all the city corporations in the country. The money allocated will be used to purchase baby food and distribute it. As a result, about 1.24 crore families will benefit.”
Enamur Rahman said, “I have given GR cash of Tk 121 crore and VGF of Tk 472 crore. I have given Tk 57 lakh to big city corporations and Tk 32 lakh to small city corporations. Money has also been given to municipalities and union councils.”
In addition, in case of any natural calamity including coronavirus, allocation / reserve is always kept in favor of the Deputy Commissioners. Three lakh taka for 'A' category district, two and a half lakh taka for 'B' category and two lakh taka for 'C' category district are always kept in reserve which the deputy commissioners can spend on dealing with any natural calamity, the state minister said.
Enamur Rahman said that the Prime Minister has recently allocated Tk 10.50 crore for financial assistance to the unemployed people. In addition, financial assistance of Tk 5,000 will be given to one lakh farming families affected by the hit shock.
He further said, “Packaged food worth Tk 7.5 crore has been procured for distribution among the marginalized people affected by the natural calamity. Another Tk 10 crore worth of food items will be purchased.”
Replying to a question, the state minister said, “We are in a comfortable position in terms of stocks, including imports, local purchases and boro rice production. We will not have a food crisis. We have the capacity of the government to carry out these humanitarian activities as long as necessary.”
