Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday asked the officials concerned to prepare a list of distressed people for providing government assistance, so that they could face the tough time evolved over the coronavirus pandemic.
"I ask the officials concerned to prepare a list of distressed people and day-labourers… We’ve to think about these sections of people… We’ve to provide food items to them," she said, reports UNB.
The prime minister made the remarks after receiving financial assistance from various public and private organizations for the PM's Relief and Welfare Fund and 20,000 pieces of personal protection equipment (PPE) for the treatment of Covid-19 patients.
She delivered her speech from her official residence, Ganabhaban, through a videoconference, while Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus received the cheques and the PPEs on behalf of her at the Prime Minister's Office in Dhaka.
She said that it was very much important to provide food items to those who live hand to mouth. "We’ve to arrange protection for those people also."
She mentioned that it would not be wise only to restrict this section of people from going outside. “Instead, their food and livelihood have to be ensured. We’re a victorious nation… I believe we’ve the courage and strength to face any sort of disaster and calamities."
Hasina also said Bangalis were never defeated. "And we’ll never be defeated… All have to step forward with this self-confidence."
She urged all not to be worried and get prepared to face this situation. "We’ve to maintain that system… so we can protect all people of the country."
The prime minister again urged all not to leave an inch of land from cultivation as there might be scarcity of food around the world due to this situation.
At present, she said, a horrible situation was prevailing in the world due to the Covid-19 pandemic, an added: "We’ve fertile lands… we’ve industrious people, this is our strength, we can help others if we can produce extra food."
She mentioned that the country had enough food stock and there would be no problem for the country in the next one year.
She also briefly described various steps of the government to protect the country and its people from the very beginning of the coronavirus outbreak in China.
"We’ve taken various steps very judiciously whenever it was needed… The government has taken steps to minimize the losses caused by this virus," she said.
Hasina put emphasis on protection of doctors, nurses and other related people who are providing healthcare in the hospitals.
"We’ve to protect them… we’ve to provide PPE to all who’re providing medicare in hospitals," she said.
About seeking assistance from various countries of the world from Bangladesh, she said the government will provide help on humanitarian ground.