‘It’s a matter of national survival’
Bangladesh needs careful planning and decisive policymaking to limit public sufferings in the months and years ahead, said Dr Kamal Hossain in a statement yesterday.
"Our nation needs to prepare for deprivation, economic disruption and a long and painful period of recovery," said the statement, also signed by Dr Reza Kibria.
Both Kamal and Kibria came up with the observation following some recommendations placed by a group of 63 academics and researchers in an open letter to the authorities concerned on Sunday.
"The global economic downturn is likely to be deeper and longer than at any time in the past century, so its indirect adverse impact on trade and reduced external employment may be substantial," the statement said.
It also said: "The problem in Bangladesh is likely to be much worse for the marginalised.
It may therefore be necessary to feed tens of millions for months to prevent hunger, malnourishment [particularly of children] and starvation."
"The issue of how to limit the impact of the coronavirus pandemic in Bangladesh is not one of partisan politics, but of national survival. In order to save lives, a strong and concerted policy response is needed," the statement added.
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