The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief has planned to provide financial aid to underprivileged individuals in 61 upazilas to lift them out of poverty.
"Fifty percent of people are living below the poverty line in 61 upazilas. We are implementing a program to provide food and livelihood assistance to help lift people above the poverty line," said Disaster Management and Relief Adviser Faruk E Azam, Bir Protik.
During the first 100 days of the interim government, the ministry has prioritized reducing poverty at the grassroots level, recognizing it as a form of disaster.
The adviser said each family will get Tk1000 for food and Tk2000 for livelihood support under the programme.
“The program will be implemented on a pilot basis in 61 upazilas where 50% of the people are living below the poverty line,” he said.
Among the 61 upazilas, the highest number of 24 is in Rangpur division and 14 in three hilly districts in Chittagong Hill Tracts under Chittagong division, 10 upazilas in Kishoreganj district under Dhaka division, five upazilas in Khulna division, seven in Mymensingh division and one in Barisal division.
The ministry also plans to implement the program on a pilot basis in 14 other upazilas where 47% of the people are suffering from malnutrition.
Among the 14 upazilas, five is in Sylhet division, four in Chittagong, two in Rajshahi, one each in Rangpur, Mymensingh and Barisal.
Faruk E Azam said that they are urging donor organizations including NGOs to engage with the programme to help reduce poverty.
