Around 3,000 families living in seven Bihari camps in Khulna are facing a food crisis due to the ongoing countrywide shutdown to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Camp residents say, despite the government’s relief distribution programs, most residents of the camps have been left deprived because of insufficient food supplies.
Kabir Hossain, district general secretary of Stranded Pakistanis General Repatriation Committee (SPGRC), said the food shortage in the camps is getting worse by the day. “The deputy commissioner says local public representatives are distributing relief in their respective areas. But in reality, the picture is quite the opposite. Local public representatives are hardly distributing any relief, and when they are, it’s not nearly enough.
“There are five camps in Khalishpur and one each in Gilatola and Rupsha, where 3,000 families live. The committee doesn't get funding these days and is therefore unable to provide for these families. What they require is assistance from the government,” he added.
Md Shahin, a resident of the Gilatola camp, said: “We have been unemployed and without any income ever since the shutdown was imposed. We are suffering a lot without support from the district administration.”
Contacted, Khulna City Corporation Mayor Talukdar Abdul Khalek said: “We are making a list of poverty stricken Bihari families living in the city so that we can distribute relief materials to at least 1,000 families within the next 2-3 days.”
Khulna Deputy Commissioner Md Helal Hossain said: “The relief materials allotted by the government have been handed over to local public representatives. They have been tasked with listing all relief seekers and distributing food supplies among them. The Bihari families living in the city fall under the jurisdiction of the city mayor. He will soon distribute relief among the Biharis.”