PM warns of global food shortage

"There will be a shortage of food due to coronavirus. In future, there may be a global famine," she said.

The PM was addressing public representatives and officials of eight districts of Dhaka and Mymensingh divisions on the coronavirus situation. She joined the programme from the Gono Bhaban through videoconferencing.

The districts are Manikganj, Gazipur, Tangail and Kishoreganj under Dhaka division and Jamalpur, Sherpur, Netrakona and Mymensingh under Mymensingh division.

Hasina stressed the need for producing and preserving food to face any possible food crisis in the post-coronavirus world. "If we can produce food and preserve it, then we won't fall into that famine. Rather, we will be able to help many others. We have to take those steps from now on."

She said the land of Bangladesh is fertile and its people are laborious. The country is now self-sufficient in food, the PM added.

"Let there not be an inch of land left without farming. We have to keep our eyes on that and that's what I want."

Referring to harvesting paddy, the premier asked the law enforcement agencies to cooperate in this regard.

Speaking to the officials and public representatives from Gazipur, the PM said the government has a plan to allow the reopening of some export-oriented industries on a limited scale if the guidelines on health and safety are properly maintained and protective measures are taken for their workers.

"The month of Ramadan is approaching. We can't keep everything shut down. We will have to reopen some areas gradually," she said.

Hasina, however, expressed doubt whether the factories in Gazipur should be reopened on April 24-25 as coronavirus was spreading in the district.

She said the factory authorities would have to arrange transportation for the workers to carry them to and from workplaces as they suffered a lot early this month after some factories asked them to join work. "It was a wrong decision."

The PM said the factories have to arrange transportation, accommodation and protection for the workers. A limited number of workers can join the work, she added.

The premier directed the district administration to discuss with those who want to reopen their factories on these conditions.

The government is to keep open some pharmaceutical factories and some other industries which are producing personal protective equipment, she said.

Hasina said the government has taken special measurers for the upcoming Ramadan to make sure that there is no crisis of food.

She said harvesting of paddy has started and more food grains would be produced in the coming days.

About the government's procurement of food grains, she said the government would buy 8 lakh tonnes of paddy, 10 lakh tonnes of rice, 2,20,000 tonnes of atap (fine rice) and 80,000 tonnes of wheat.

Hasina said the government has taken the measurers to save the country from any possible food crisis and economic recession.

Regarding the use of protective gears, like PPEs by doctors and nurses, the premier said only those who would look after patients would use those. "If all start using these, then how will we provide those to doctors and nurses?"

She said some 14,63,840 PPEs have been imported while 10,80,069 distributed and 3,83,771 are in stock.

She directed the authorities concerned to strengthen monitoring so that genuine masks and PPEs are supplied to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The PM thanked doctors, nurses, health workers, members of police, and armed forces for their tireless efforts to serve people.

Hasina said the Covid-19 situation is still better in Bangladesh than in many developed countries due to effective steps taken by the government.

She said she has assigned secretaries to look after the relief and health safety at the district level and they would submit reports to her.

"There is nothing to be upset when a crisis comes. This has to be faced with courage... we did it in 1971 with our united efforts and we will also be able to get rid of this calamity very soon."

She asked the authorities concerned of Mymensingh to arrange training for physicians, nurses and other health workers who deal the coronavirus patients to keep them and their families protected.

Hasina called upon the local lawmakers and other public representatives to pay attention to the protection of physicians, nurses and other health workers in their respective areas.

PM's Principal Secretary Ahmad Kaikaus, the programme was also attended by Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam, PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim, PMO Secretary Tofazzel Hossain Miah and other high officials were present.