Along with other countries, Bangladesh is widely affected by Covid-19 pandemic. The rate of transmission of the virus has been increasing alarmingly. The prime and only prevention of Covid-19 is individual awareness and maintaining social distance. NGOs in Bangladesh are not behindhand in combating Covid-19, it said.
The press release says, since the beginning of the pandemic, NGOs have been working hard to prevent coronavirus’ spread as much as they can. Along with the government, NGOs across the country have been working extensively at the grassroots.
In the intervening time, the NGOs have been taking various initiatives like distribution of awareness leaflets, installation of banners and billboard, setting up of hand washing arrangement, spray of disinfectant, dissemination of cautionary information through social media and 17 community radio, among others.
ADAB and its member organisations have spent an amount of Tk 253 million as emergency support between March 23 and June 13, of which Tk 130 million are direct financial assistance to the poor.
Correspondingly, as per a recent report of Bangladesh CSO-NGO Coordination Process, the amount of aid provided by NGOs till May 25 is Tk 1,560 million including that of foreign aid. Apart from this, the Micro Finance NGOs have also proven their devotion to the country by depositing an amount of Tk 270 million to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund.
The assistance of NGOs is not limited to the financial or protective aid support, it has been even widened to the establishment of isolation centre, accommodation support for the doctors, vehicle support, supply of oxygen cylinder, and medical aids to different local hospitals.
With declining foreign aid and a long period of stagnation of normal activities, the NGOs themselves are struggling financially, yet they are trying their best to stand by the helpless people from their commitment and accountability, the ADAB said.
“This is the main spirit and dedication to the society, which couldn’t be evaluated in terms of money. It would be better if we forward in a coordinated and holistic way to get rid of the pandemic,” the press release added.