Ashika Development Associates recently received £80,000 in funding from Department for International Development (DFID)-funded project Start Fund Bangladesh (SFB) to combat the outbreak of measles in Rangamati.
The initiative was taken as Sajek and Jurachari upazila of the district witnessed 300 cases and 10 child deaths due to the measles outbreak, says a press release.
There are currently no vaccination campaigns happening to tackle this outbreak and according to Ashika’s survey, one of the main reasons for the heightened vulnerability of these areas is an acute level of food insecurity.
This region often goes through a period of food insecurity from May to September, due to various local Jhum agricultural practices and a lowered income rate generally.
“The national shutdown added an extra layer of impediment as local markets are closed, contributing to the overall levels of malnutrition”, said Coxy Talukder, deputy executive director of Ashika.
Ashika has been working in the region since April, starting with a fund of £20,000 from SFB and another £60,000 recently.
Amidst the strict lockdown measures, Ashika staff dressed in safe gear, reached houses set far apart in these remote regions.
“We generally believe in funding below the radar projects and Ashika’s dedication towards their work in the Rangamati region prompted us to continue supporting them for this measles outbreak,” stated SFB’s country manager Sajid Raihan.
Ashika managed to provide medical treatment to over 200 individuals who were cured in April and gave cash support of Tk1,000 each to 200 households, covering additional expenses of transport, medicine and obtaining vitamin A-enriched food.