People’s movement has gradually decreased in the country following the coronavirus outbreak, coupled with uncertainty among the lower income people, whose livelihood is earned on a daily basis.
However, “Nobody will die in a food crisis; we have already decided to distribute relief among lower income people in those areas already locked down, and those that will be, considering the situation,” Dr. Enamur Rahman, state minister for disaster, management and relief told Bangladesh Post.
“I don’t know whether I will be infected with the virus, but I know that if this situation continues, I and my family will die in a food crisis. I used to buy essentials for the next day every evening with the money I earned in the day by pulling a rickshaw. I have a 7 member-family, and all are dependent on me,” said a rickshaw puller Md. Muktar Hossain, on Sunday.
Not only Muktar Hossain, this correspondent found the same fear among many people who live from hand to mouth.
Mehedi Hasan, a hawker in the Savar bus stand area said, “It’s like pouring water on a drowned mouse. I earned only taka 200 yesterday whereas I need to earn at least 5 hundred to survive with my family. I have a five-member family; I don’t know what I’ll do if this situation continues for 7 more days.”
Dr. Enamur Rahman, state minister for disaster management and relief told Bangladesh Post, “We first got a report that the people in the country’s brothels including in Daulatdia and Tangail, are facing financial hardships as their earnings have been stopped for restriction. We have already distributed 35 tons of rice among those people after receiving the report, and told all concerned District Commissioners (DC) to let us know, if the people need anything more, we are ready to support.”
Quoting the Divisional Commissioner of Dhaka, the state minister said, “We heard that the lower income people in some districts including of Shibchar Upazila of Madaripur are also facing the same crisis due to lockdown and restriction, we already informed this matter to the Prime Minister’s Office and we will provide humanitarian assistance in those areas after getting instructions.”
Md Salahuddin Khan Noim, General Secretary of Savar corruption prevention committee said, “We got enough time to take preparations, but we could not utilize it. Now we should be more humanitarian and aware. I think the government knows about the financial hardship of the lower income people and I hope the government will take proper measures considering their crisis as we know our government has overcome many crises in the country earlier.
