University students distribute groceries to people in need

A group of university students have been distributing groceries amongst underserved communities in the capital, as of last week. The countrywide lockdown has brought hardships to families that live from hand to mouth. With Covid-19 crippling nations around the globe, as anticipated by economists, it is turning out to be a massive threat, expanding the economic inequality, putting the labour market under bleak circumstances.

Six students from NSU and one student from IUB have offered help to some poverty-stricken groups. Mohaiminul Kamal, Taslim Imam Khan, Tazwar Hussain, Ifreet Taheea, Rabea Ahmed, Naymour Rahman Khan, and Sayad Zunaid Alavee are the initiators of this project, titled, 'Covid – 19 Crisis Relief'.

"Under the current circumstances, it seems like many people are more at risk of dying out of hunger than from the coronavirus pandemic in our country," adds Mohaiminul Kamal. "Many of who have the privilege of stocking up groceries in case of emergencies, while others don't. Subsequently, we have a social responsibility to help those in need at this time."

Their packages include 5 kg rice, 1 kg daal, 1 kg potato, 1 kg salt, and 1 soap bar. They have reached out to the rickshaw-pullers, street beggars and street-shop owners, among others.  As of now, they are covering the streets of Uttara. In their first phase of distribution on March 25, they covered Sector-3 and distributed close to 100 packages. Their second phase of distribution was on March 27, where they covered Sector 7 and Sector 12. They aim to carry it out every other day and they are also collecting donations.

The team of students have prepared the packages at a relatively low cost, with cooperation from their vendors. Primarily, they collected donations from their friends and families, with the hope to pull through this pandemic together, similar to many other initiatives being taken around the country. To know more the project, click the link:  

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