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Demand for increased government assistance in Cox’s Bazar


Published : 15 May 2020 10:10 PM | Updated : 07 Sep 2020 02:17 PM

Seven organizations working on human rights, the environment and various issues in Cox's Bazar have called for increased government support to Cox's Bazar in the wake of the novel coronavirus. At the same time, the alliance of seven Cox's Bazar-based organizations has demanded that all should work together to tackle the global epidemic without spreading confusion over the government's assistance.

The leaders of the organizations made this demand in a joint statement on May 15.

The government has already provided assistance to about 1.5 lakh families in Cox's Bazar, the statement said. To help these families, 1,650 metric tons of rice and Taka 1 crore 23 lakh have been allocated in five steps in the district. This assistance has been and is being distributed at the grassroots level through the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO).

HM Nazrul Islam, co-ordinator of the Cox's Bazar-based alliance and president of the Reporters' Unity Cox's Bazar, said in a statement that the relief provided by the government in Cox's Bazar was being distributed equally by the district administration at the grassroots level. Hopefully this will continue in the future. However, this assistance is not enough compared to the population. The government's allocation in Cox's Bazar needs to be further increased.

He added that the crisis in Cox's Bazar is growing day by day. That is why aid needs to reach the grassroots more widely. So the government's support in Cox's Bazar needs to be further increased.

In a joint statement, Rashedul Majid, Chief Executive of Environment People, Ibrahim Khalil Mamun, Chief Executive of Youth Environment Society (YES) Cox's Bazar, Monir Mubarak, Cox's Bazar Citizen Movement Convener, President of Reporters Unity Cox's Bazar Chief Executive Azim Nihad, social organization Coxian X, President of the Press Irfanul Hasan, Coordinator of the social organization "Team Cox's Bazar" Rana Sharma and Gazi Nazmul Islam demanded increased support.

According to the information provided by the administration, the assistance received from the government through the UNO through the chairmen of the Union Parishads (UP) has been distributed equally to the upazila based on the number of families, poverty, risk level etc. According to him, out of 26,102 families in Sadar, 302.06 tons of rice, 119 tons in 6,452 families of Ramu, 315 tons in 31,899 families of Chakriya, 116 tons in 11,626 families of Pekuar, 151 tons in 9,519 families of Maheshkhali and 151 tons in Kutubdia. 100 tons of rice was distributed to the families, 65 tons to 8 thousand 46 families of Ukhia and 69 tons of rice to 5 thousand 342 families of Teknaf.

Besides, separate allocation has been given on municipality basis. Of this, 125.2 tonnes of rice was allotted to 12,463 families in Cox's Bazar Municipality, 111 tonnes to 10,063 families in Chakaria, 52 tonnes to 3,100 families in Maheshkhali and 22 tonnes to 4,060 families in Teknaf. A total of 1,550 tonnes of rice was allotted as assistance to 1,36,439 families. Besides, GR 65 lakh 73 thousand 106 taka and baby food 21 lakh taka has been allocated at upazila level.