The whole country was under lockdown. It was difficult to move from one place to another. Nevertheless all the organizations tried to do humanitarian activities side by side the organizational activities. The members of organizations were in panic and became frustrated about their lives and livelihoods.

Those who worked in the towns and cities lost their jobs and returned to the countryside. This sudden shift made an uncertainty of livelihoods in the rural areas. The government declared some humanitarian aid but it did not reach them because of massive corruption.

Finally different organizations came to stand by the people living in the COVID 19 impacted areas. We also joined this effort on our level best. We distributed relief materials and blankets among the people who are mostly members of our organizations.

The members are satisfied that we stood with them during a crucial period in the pandemic. Yet the situation did not come to normalcy but the panicky situation has been overcome. Now the daily death rate is between 10 and 15. By this time the government took the initiative to vaccinate the people. It has started off with elderly people. It will gradually come to all sections of the people.

Our people in the countryside are still waiting for the vaccine. Now it is given at free of cost. But nobody knows what will happen later. Will people get it free of cost or they need to pay? We hope that our people will get the vaccine at free of cost.

During the pandemic we did all the activities abiding by the rules of the pandemic.

Below is expenditure of some of our activities:

1. 21 February 2020 the Language Martyr Day celebration = Tk.6000/-

2. 26 March 2020 Independence Day observation = Tk.8800/-

3. In March-April 2020 COVID19 Mask, Sanitizer distribution=Tk.80000/-

4. Relief distribution among COVID 19 impacted areas among 500 families =Tk.250000/-

5. May Day 2020 Celebration =Tk. 30000/-

6. 1000 blankets distributed among COVID impacted winter affected
landless people in the southern part of Bangladesh =Tk. 350000/-

7. 12 months office(Head office) rent of the organizations(12XTk.30000/-) =Tk. 360000/-

8. Payment to an accountant for updating the bookkeeping system of the organization(Tk.6000/-X3 Months) =Tk. 18,000/-

9. 7 November 2020, the 25 death anniversary of former President of Bangladesh Krishok Federation Comrade Abdus Satter Khan =Tk.22000/-

10. Joint mobilization protesting the killing of garment worker Rafiqul Islam =Tk.15000/-

11. Press conference in Mymensingh district demanding the arrest and trial of those who murdered Rafiqul Islam =Tk.12000/-

12. 30 June 2020 Historic Santal Revolt Day celebration Dinajpur =Tk.18000/-

13. Expenses for 2 cases running in high court =Tk.120,000/-

14. Expenses for 6 cases running in the lower court =Tk. 75,000/-

Total expenditures =Tk.1364800/-

Received Euro 9500/- from ESSF sent at different times in 2020. In Taka it is around Tk.883600/-

Deficit: 13,64000/—883600/-=Tk.480400/-

The deficit has been covered by other sources and local collection.

The support of ESSF in 2020 has been very useful for the organizations. It allowed the organizations to stand by the poor members of the organizations in the crucial period.

As the pandemic did not run out completely, our efforts should continue.

Badrul Alam
President
Bangladesh Krishok Federation