CRI’s Young Bangla raising awareness among volunteers, distributing food

Young Bangla -- a voluntary youth group of Centre for Research and Information (CRI) -- has been raising awareness among young people involved in volunteering in their communities across the country in fighting the coronavirus pandemic.

The voluntary group, with its nationwide network thanks to CRI, has also been distributing food to destitute people, especially those who are passing a hard time during the shutdown, said a press release of the organisation.

Besides, CRI arranged three webinars where participating youth were given guidelines on volunteerism and safety last week, where 200 community youth leaders and health and wellbeing practitioners took part.

Professor Dr Mamun Al Mahtab, Chairman of the Liver Department, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), took part in the third webinar. He provided the youth with the guidelines and answered their queries, UNB reports quoting the press release.

"As the virus emerged as a pandemic all across the world, you, volunteers serving humanity, are doing a great job. But, you must maintain a set of hygiene rules since you are out on the street," he said.

Dr Mahtab recommended keeping a box to isolate the wallet, watches, and all other stuff they carry outside since you never know what might carry the virus.

He also suggested wiping the mobile phones with a rag soaked in liquid soap.

"Not everyone needs to use a surgical mask since it's neither available nor affordable. What you can do is use two or three-layered masks," he said.

Based on the consultation in the webinars, Young Bangla developed a guideline as a draft to be shared with relevant agencies.