VAB Assists Families During Covid

VAB Distributes Assistance to Distressed Families Affected by the Coronavirus Crisis

VAB is deeply concerned with the miseries and economic hardships imposed by the coronavirus pandemic on the most disadvantaged communities and families in Bangladesh. Of particular worry for VAB are the severely distressed families in the school communities with which VAB works.

As described in the previous post on our Home Page, VAB initiated an Assistance Effort to help these families with cash sufficient for 15 days’ supply of food and essentials. VAB USA came forward with a modest contribution to support 1,200 most affected families, 20 families in each of the communities of 60 schools VAB works with.Taka 1,800,000 was remitted to VAB Bangladesh for the purpose.

Distribution of cash assistance in the hands of the heads of distressed families has started. As of now, 300 families in 15 school communities in Shyamnagar upazila and 100 families in 5 school communities in Keshabpur upazila have been provided with cash assistance. Overcoming severe restrictions of lockdown in most areas of the country, distribution was possible with assistance received by the courtesy of a sister NGO, Bangladesh Women’s Health Coalition (BWHC) and through selfless services of VAB Bangladesh and its staff and their remarkable mobilization of support from local persons and institutions. A detailed Report, in Bangla, can be found here on the distribution of assistance in Shyamnagar , and here on the distribution in Keshabpur.

VAB will complete the distribution of cash assistance to the 800 families in the remaining 40 VAB school communities as soon as practicable. The progress in distribution will be posted in the website.

Parents of many students of the 60 disadvantaged rural schools with which VAB works are day laborers or daily wage-earners. The lockdown on account of coronavirus is depriving them of their livelihood. VAB, in a very modest way, is making an effort to provide assistance to these families in utter distress.

VAB has identified 20 most needy families in each of the areas where its schools are. These are near-destitute families of students. There are also teachers who are not paid from a government salary scheme (MPO), and are dependent on private tuition.

VAB plans to offer cash assistance of Tk. 1,500 per family. The amount is sufficient for food expenses for two weeks. Thanks to the profound generosity of the Chairman of VAB’s Board of Directors, Mr. Syed Zaki Hossain, who is providing the fund for all 1,200 families, VAB Bangladesh is now in a position to implement its assistance effort, and has madethe necessary preparations.

At this time, VAB workers are self-quarantined in their homes. Their activities outside, including dealings with banks, are extremely limited. However, plans have been made to transfer funds from the VAB Bangladesh Office in Dhaka to local banks. Agents of local banks have agreed to reach the target families directly and expeditiously. In many cases, funds will be transferred to the accounts of the Headmasters who are most reliable and accountable. The Headmasters then, with the help of school teachers, will distribute cash in the hands of the recipients.With some external help, we have been able to send out fund for 400 families in Shyamnagar in SatkhiraSatkhira and Keshabpur in Jashore, the families would be receiving them in the next few days. Full implementation has to wait for lockdown to be lifted in Dhaka.

VAB will review its next course of action as the situation changes. Meanwhileany concerned and interested person can donate to VAB specifically to assist families in utter distress in these trying times. In the USA, please write a check to VAB, and send it to VAB, P.O. Box 234, Irvington, NY 10533. In Bangladesh, contribution can be deposited in VAB’s Bank Account No. 148.120.5550 in Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited, Adabor, Dhaka. One can also donatevia Paypal through VAB’s website: www.vabonline.org (“the “Donate Online” button is in the upper right hand corner of the Home Page).

VAB sincerely hopes its help may provide some redress. Most of all, our thoughts and prayers are for the well-being of the growing number of needy and distressed families. Let us all pray that we all come out safe from this crisis.