LGRD State Minister Distributes UKAID Blankets to Combat Winter Cold
NGO News Report :: State Minister of LGRD, Mr. Moshiur Rahman Ranga, today visited Rangpur District to oversee the distribution of blankets funded by UK aid to help extreme poor communities get through the cold winter weather.
The distribution was arranged by EEP/Shiree, the Economic Empowerment of the Poorest programme, supervised by Rural Development and Cooperatives Division in conjunction with UK aid and Swiss Development Cooperation. EEP/Shiree is a livelihood and nutrition project helping to eradicate extreme poverty from Bangladesh.
The request for blankets came from EEP/Shiree’s partner NGOs who work with over one million disadvantaged people helping them to take steps (Shiree) out of extreme poverty. In response to the humanitarian need, UK aid donated about Tk. 60,00,000 (GBP 50,000) and EEP procured 19,000 locally sourced blankets.
The State Minister welcomed the partnership with UK aid and EEP and their ability to respond quickly and generously to the needs of the extreme poor. He said: “On behalf of the Government of Bangladesh, I congratulate UK aid and our EEP/Shiree project for this much needed and timely intervention for our poor and disadvantaged citizens. This distribution of blankets will help many to get through the winter without falling ill and losing their livelihoods.”
EEP/Shiree and its partner NGOs are distributing the 19,000 blankets to cold affected communities across the country. This will reduce the impact of cold-related illness on the extreme poor, especially children and the elderly.
The State Minister attended distribution in Gangachara Upazilla of Rangpur District. Local administration and locally elected bodies extended their full support for this humanitarian winter initiative in this and the other targeted districts.
Distribution is underway in Bagerhat, Bandarban, Barguna, Dinajpur, Gaibandha, Jessore, Khulna, Kishoregonj, Kurigram, Naogaon, Patuakhali, Perojpur, Rajshahi, Rangamati, Rangpur, Satkhira and Sunamgonj districts.
EEP/Shiree’s partner NGOs include CARE Bangladesh, Caritas, Concern Worldwide, Green Hill, Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation, Mahideb Jubo Somaj Kallayan Somity, Netz Bangladesh, Oxfam, Practical Action Bangladesh, Save the Children, Shushilan and Uttaran.
