Dhaka Tribune, in collaboration with Prochesta Foundation, distributed iftar packages to hundreds of underprivileged people of Dhaka city in an initiative called Share Your Meal to uphold the true spirit of Ramadan.
The initiative is to come to the aid of destitute people left without jobs due to the lockdown meant to curb the spread of coronavirus.
On Sunday afternoon, iftar packages were distributed in front of BGB Gate 5 to some 650 people in the underprivileged community of Hazaribag.
People collected the iftar packages from volunteers just after Asr prayers, standing in line and maintaining social distancing rules.
Talking with this correspondent, Abdul Mia, a tannery worker of the area, said the factory he worked at is closed due to the pandemic, leaving him unemployed. Receiving an iftar package of khichuri and chicken is a matter of joy for them.
Halima Khatun, a slum dweller who picked up an iftar package too, said she was a maid at a nearby mess but the current crisis has made her jobless.
Her only income source has been closed off for two months, forcing her to rely on relief goods and aid, and food from the streets.
Khairul Bashar, a local volunteer, led the group of 20 volunteers in distributing the iftar.
He said there are many tannery and garment workers, and workers from the New Market area living in Hazaribag, most of whom are going through a rough time.
“We distributed iftar in this area so that these underprivileged people could enjoy a good meal at least once today,” Khairul said.
