UNDP, United Enterprises to provide food support to 5,000 destitute women

UNDP and United Enterprises & Co. Ltd (UECL) have jointly taken an initiative to provide food support to 5,000 destitute women in Jamalpur, Kurigram and Gaibandha in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

In addition to providing awareness about the spread of Covid-19, food items will be distributed among the marginalised women of 126 unions of the three districts under this initiative, UNDP said in a statement.

On April 20, 540 women in 15 unions of Bakshiganj and Dewanganj upazilas in Jamalpur received the food assistance.

Each food package included 12 kg rice, six kg flour, two kg potato, two kg lentil, one kg sugar, one kg salt, one litre soybean oil, one kg flattened rice and two soaps.

"While welcoming the government safety net programme, we realise that there is a need for meeting immediate gaps before public distribution system is fully effectively operationalised," said Sudipto Mukerjee, Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh, in a statement today.

He pointed out that although Covid-19 might not have a very high death toll its collateral impacts are likely to create much greater socio-economic hardships.

"The increased risks of losing jobs and income, inability to easily access essential services are some of the hardships that will disproportionately affect the poor. This partnership will deliver food to the poor households," Sudipto added.

"We believe it is our responsibility to give back to society and those in need, doubly so in trying times such as now," said Moinuddin Hasan Rashid, UECL's Managing Director.