Coronavirus lockdown: food assistance sought for ethnic minorities

Three organisations working for the rights of "ethnic minorities" have urged the government and other stakeholders to ensure food assistance for ethnic minorities around the country.  

Of the around 40 lakh people belonging to different ethnic minority communities, many have not received enough relief during the lockdown, according to findings of three organisations -- Bangladesh Adibasi Forum, Jatiya Adibasi Parishad and Kapaeeng Foundation.

They issued a press release asking both government and other private welfare organisations to help the people in need.

People of Hajong and Banai community in Nalitabari, Dhobaura, Durgapur, Kolmakanda, Maddyanagar and Taherpur are said to be in severe food crisis.

In Rajshahi and Rangpur, nearly 15 lakh people belonging to different "ethnic minority" groups are also suffering from food shortage.

Along with them, tea workers in Sylhet and other ethnic minorities in Cox's Bazar, three Chattogram hill districts and other parts of the country are among those who have been adversely affected by the crisis.

As such, the organisations have sought help across the board -- from government, private welfare organisations and NGOs -- to extend food assistance to the communities in need.