A fervent call to philanthropists to contribute to the relief operation initiative among the people affected by COVID 19 pandemic in Bangladesh

Bangladesh first experienced COVID 19 pandemic on 8 March 2020 when an Italian passport holder Bangali arrived in Dhaka Shah Jalal International Airport with high fever and all other syndromes of coronavirus affection. When he was tested, the identification of COVID 19 was ensured. It was the start of the breakout of COVID 19 throughout the country. However, some other affected people also came through the airport hailing from different countries. At that time the situation was so volatile that authority was not able to manage the patients with an aim to protect COVID 19. If the authority was serious when China was terribly fighting against Novel coronavirus since November 2019 through March 2020, it was possible to put an end to the virus infection at nip in the bud. By the way, it did not happen and the coronavirus broke out all over the country within 78 days. 

Thus far, the total [recorded] death toll from the beginning is 452. 20 people died within the last 24 hours. The higher number of daily death is possibly 24. Total recovery from the outset is 6486. So far total affection is 32078. Total people tested till now is 10834. 

However, it is reckoned that there are many people who have already been affected, but remained undiagnosed. They are the most dangerous to spread massively. These are also happening due to the poor health infrastructure we have in the country. The arrangement with all equipment is too limited to tackle the huge number of COVID 19 patients. At the beginning the situation was also aggravated by negligence and irregularities of health administration. Later, efforts were made to bring the circumstances into the order in place. Yet the people are suffering a lot. So many people move to one hospital after another to get tested their blood but failed owing to lack of accommodation. As a result, their owes and agonies knew no bounds. It is reported as well that some people were waiting in front of the hospital for more than a week for COVID 19 test.

Considering the lockdown as one of the tools to prevent coronavirus the government declared countrywide lockdown on 25 March 2020 which is in vogue on 25 March 2020. The lockdown collapsed all kinds of economic activities including closure of industry, especially garment industries, road transport markets, etc. It caused numerous problems to the lives of working people and the people in the rural areas. In the long run it did hamper to the life and livelihoods of the ordinary people.

Bangladesh Krishok Federation(BKF) and Bangladesh Kishani Sabha(BKS) were established in 1976 and 1990 respectively. Both organizations have been working for the peasants’ cause of the country. As both organizations we have land movement in order to establish the right of landless peasants over the Khasland. To date, we have been able to take over 76600 acres of Khasland and distributed in pieces more than 100000 landless men and women in the rural areas. Now they have their dignified lives with the piece of land. The piece of land has ensured their food sovereignty as well as food security. Because of COVID 19 these peasants’ families are in trouble. On the one hand, they are in panic of contagion virus, on the other, they are facing food insecurity because of the collapse of normal economic activities. On top of that, some of them faced the super cyclone Amphan in south-western part of Bangladesh. So not only their lives but also their livelihoods have been hampered enormously.

These people deserve material support from the government. Unfortunately, they are not getting help from the government perfectly. The local vested quarters are big impediment for them around which there is a lot of scandals going on already. It is necessary to control all irregularities and corruption around relief materials with a view to benefiting as many people impacted by COVID 19 as possible. Apart from the government initiative, we would like to stand with the people living in our organizational areas. We would like to provide humanitarian support with relief stuffs to the people living uncertain lives due to the impact of COVID 19. We have already given support to the urban poor in the capital city of Dhaka. Very limited people were given this support due to a shortfall of our resources.

We intend to cover the larger section of informal sector people at this point. We would like to support so that their family members feed themselves in such a crucial period of pandemic. Therefore, we need to get sympathetic support from solvent philanthropist people in society who are eager to do something good for the impacted people but cannot find the way. We will be custodians for their funding and responsible to distribute among the people with transparency and accountability.

We have also tracked reputation in this regard. As mass organiszations we have well and exclusive connection with the downtrodden people. As such, we request all well-wishers, sympathizers and supporters and any philanthropists to support us with as much amount as you can. We are guarantors of your contribution to transmit the poor communities. You will be extremely appreciated for any efforts. Our efforts making will continue, for sure.

Stay home, stay safe. 

Badrul Alam
President
Bangladesh Krishok Federation 

To send donations

Cheques
cheques to ESSF in euros only, payable in France, to be sent to:
ESSF
2, rue Richard-Lenoir
93100 Montreuil
France

Bank Account:
Crédit lyonnais
Agence de la Croix-de-Chavaux (00525)
10 boulevard Chanzy
93100 Montreuil
France
ESSF, account number 445757C

International bank account details :
IBAN : FR85 3000 2005 2500 0044 5757 C12
BIC / SWIFT : CRLYFRPP
Account holder : ESSF

Through PayPal
You can send money through Paypal: see the PayPal button on ESSF English home page: http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?page=sommaire&lang=en

Through HelloAsso
You can also send money through the association HelloAsso: see its button on ESSF English home page: http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?page=sommaire&lang=en
Or go directly to:
https://www.helloasso.com/associations/europe-solidaire-sans-frontieres/formulaires/1/widget

We keep you regularly informed via our website of the situation and use of the solidarity fund.