Around 85 lakh people of 19.29 lakh jobless and distressed families have, so far, received 20,269 tonnes of rice as special relief assistance in Rangpur division in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
“The government continues distributing special relief among the distressed families to ensure their food security during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Additional Divisional Commissioner (General) Md. Zakir Hossain told media on Friday.
Among the 19.59 lakh beneficiary families, 16.75 lakh families got 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.
Talking to media, District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer (DRRO) of Rangpur ATM Akhteruzzaman said distribution of 5,059 tonnes of rice and Taka 2.17 crore among around 3.64 lakh families was already completed in the district.
Chief Executive Officer of Rangpur City Corporation (RpCC) Ruhul Amin Miah said distribution of about 900 tonnes of rice out of the total allocated 1,000 tonnes by the government was completed among 9,000 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.
Chairman of Chandanpat union in Rangpur Sadar upazila Amenur Rahman said he already distributed 31 tonnes of government rice among 3,100 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 34 tonnes of government rice among 3,400 families of his union and is currently distributing three tonnes of more rice.
Chairman of Thanahat union in Chilmari upazila of Kurigram Md. Abdur Razzaque said he already distributed f 42 tonnes of government rice among 4,200 jobless and needy families in his union.
Chairman of Banglabandha union in Tentulia upazila of Panchagarh Md. Kudrat-e-Khuda Milan said he distributed 33 tonnes of government rice among 3,300 families of his union.
Chairman of Zorabari union in Domar upazila of Nilphamari Md. Abul Hassan said he distributed 21 tonnes of government rice among 2,100 jobless and distressed families of the union with 10 kg of rice each.
Talking to media, distressed people Aklima Khatun, Zobayer Hossain and Shyamol Kumar of Rangpur expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for standing beside them amid Covid-19 pandemic.
According to officials concerned, distribution of 2,801 tonnes of rice and around Taka 1.31 crore among 3.22 lakh families in Dinajpur and 1,978 tonnes of rice and Taka 1.36 crore among 2.38 lakh families in Thakurgaon districts was completed.
Distribution of 2,712 tonnes of rice and Taka 1.78 crore among 2.71 lakh families in Kurigram, 1,614 tonnes of rice and Taka 1.22 crore among 1.61 lakh families in Nilphamari and 2,100 tonnes of rice and Taka 1.54 crore among 2.10 lakh families in Panchagarh was completed.
Besides, distribution of 1,712 tonnes of government rice and Taka 1.30 crore among 1.71 lakh families in Lalmonirhat and 2,293 tonnes of rice and Taka 1.60 crore among 2.05 lakh families in Gaibandha districts was completed.
