Social safety-net programmes help poor amid pandemic in Rangpur

The social safety net programmes (SSNPs) help poor to lead better life amid the Covid-19 pandemic in Rangpur division.

Officials and development experts said poor families are leading a dignified life during the pandemic after getting more assistance from the SSNPs, one of the ten special initiatives of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

“The government has expanded the periphery of safety net programmes and continues implementing those transparently at grassroots levels to ensure food security of the poor during the pandemic,” said Divisional Commissioner Abdul Wahhab Bhuiyan.

The SSNPs include employment generation, general and test reliefs, food for work and work for money, VGD, VGF, Amar Bari-Amar Khamar, Asrayan Prakalpa, various allowances, food friendly programmes and many other schemes.

“Since the beginning of the pandemic, the government has distributed huge quantities of rice with other foodstuffs and cash money as special assistance among the poor, helpless, destitute and marginal families in all eight districts of the division,” he said.

Besides, thousands of homeless families rehabilitated in Asrayan Prakalpa and Cluster Villages are engaged in income generating activities (IGAs) and leading better life after getting necessary assistance from different government departments.

“Alongside massive SSNPs, the government is providing special assistance to the poor, including those living in Asrayan Prakalpa, Cluster Villages and erstwhile enclaves, to help them lead a better life during the pandemic,” Bhuiyan added.

Chairman of Northbengal Institute of Development Studies Dr Syed Samsuzzaman, a development expert, said triumphant execution of SSNPs is playing a crucial role in helping the poor to tackle the pandemic situation.

Rangpur District Coordinator of Amar Bari, Amar Khamar (ABAK) project Jahadul Islam said over 1.70 lakh families have improved livelihoods through IGAs utilising training, assistance and micro-credits under the project in Rangpur alone.

Beneficiary of the ABAK project Alifa Begum of Kursha Balorampur village of Sadar upazila said she purchased heifers, goats and sheep after getting interest-free loans Tk 10,000, Tk 15,000 and Tk 30,000 in various phases since 2012.

“Currently, I have 10 cows, 18 goats and 25 sheep, three acres of cultivable land taken on lease along with other assets worth Tk 12 lakh. I am leading a better life with family members even during the pandemic situation,” Begum said.

Rehabilitated couple Ashraful Islam and his wife Sabina Yasmin at Osmanpur Khamarerdanga Asrayan Prakalpa in Badarganj upazila of Rangpur said they have become self-reliant through various IGAs.

They struggled a lot for survival a decade ago until their rehabilitation at the Asrayan Prakalpa.