People from the low-income groups are being severely affected due to the countrywide shutdown imposed in Bangladesh, as a means to fight the latest pandemic—novel coronavirus (Covid-19)—which sweeps over the world.
All are advised to stay in home-quarantine, for which, people including construction workers, farmers, day labourers, who live day-to-day cannot work and therefore don’t have sufficient food or money.
In these tough times, the government is distributing relief materials among the people in the low-income groups and those living under poverty.
However, even in such a situation, irregularities are reported during the distribution of the essential commodities. Food supplies are allegedly distributed to people with connections and those without, aren’t even aware.
Kali Das Mandol, of Sutarkhali village, said he earns for his family by catching and selling fish. He doesn’t even know about the government relief distribution programs.
Osman Gani, a construction worker living in the city, said: “We are out of work because of the country-wide shutdown. Now, we can’t earn our daily wage and w0hatever savings I had left are all gone now. A family needs at least Tk15,000-20,000 per month to survive with a wife and kids here in the city.”
Kamarkhola Union Parishad Chairman Panchanan Mandol: “As of now, we have been able to provide support to 450 families in the union. However, the government allocation is insufficient in scale with the population in Dakop upazila. The government needs to increase the allocation of relief items keeping in mind the number of poor people across the country.”
Ansar Ali, a restaurant businessman in Koyra upazila, said: “We don't get many customers these days, with everyone staying at their homes. If things continue to go on like this, I’ll have to shut down the restaurant.”
Koyra Upazila Nirbahi Officer Shimul Kumar Saha said: “We haven’t identified anyone infected with Covid-19 in the upazila. But still, we are monitoring the people returning from overseas. Meanwhile, various awareness campaigns have been launched for the public on the latest pandemic.”
Khulna Deputy Commissioner Md Helal Hossain said: “The government is vigilant about the poor families during this period of emergency. We will not neglect a family in need.”
Khulna district unit Awami League President and District Council President Sheikh Harunur Rahman said: “We have already distributed food supplies among the poor communities in Dakop and Botiaghata upazila. We will carry on and supply food to other upazila as well.”