As night falls, volunteers in Pabna rush to provide sehri for people on the streets

As night falls, volunteers of Tohura Aziz Foundation, a volunteer organisation in Pabna rush with packets of food to make sure those in need and those who will be fasting during this month of Ramadan can get their 'Sehri'.

Most low-income people including rickshaw pullers, shop keepers and other vendors on the street have become jobless during the pandemic. As such many are having to fast without 'Sehri'.

Tohura Aziz Foundation took the initiative to arrange some food for them considering the situation, Dewan Mahabub, executive director (ED) of the foundation told The Daily Star.

"Using three-wheelers, members of the foundation go to people on the streets with packets of food and move to different areas in the town till midnight." Dewan Mahabub said.

Photo: Star

They are distributing 200 packets of food among 200 people every night from fifth Ramadan. But there are many more hungry people on the streets and as such this is not enough.

"We are giving them rice with chicken curry or fish and vegetable. Each packet cost Tk 50. Fund for arranging food for poor is managed from our relatives, friends and foundation organisers," Mahabub said.

Receiving a packet of food, face of many poor people on street looks happy as they get a packet of food in crises.

"I used pedal rickshaw in the night. But I haven't been getting sufficient passengers in the last few weeks due to lockdown. And I do not return home so that I can keep on pedaling and earning so I often do not get to eat Sehri. Now, at least I have this packet of food," said Md Amzad Hossain, a rickshaw puller.

Md Jamshed Hossain, a night guard working in the town said he joins work in the evening before Iftar and often cannot bring food for 'Sehri'.

Photo: Star

"I bring food for eating Iftar. I used to soak some rice in water and have for sehri in the first few days of Ramadan. Due to the hot spell, I do not eat rice from the evening for Sehri. The volunteers now bring me a packet of food which helps during Sehri," Jamshed said.

Established in 2011, Tohura Aziz Foundation does many voluntary activities in the society such as establishing of tube wells in different areas, providing free treatment among ultra-poor people and empowering ultra-poor women by giving them training and education.

"The young volunteers of the foundation show how to stand beside people in times of crisis such as this. Their little initiative brings delight for many poor people in the society. Others should work like that for the betterment of society." ABM Fozlur Rahman, president of Pabna Press Club said.