In a gesture of friendship, Bangladesh has started sending 10,000 metric tons of rice to Nepal for the earthquake victims.

Nearly 8,000 people were killed and about 21,000 injured in the earthquake that hit the Himalayan country on April 25 last year. An estimated 4,00,000 people have been affected by the disaster.

The first convoy of nine rice-laden trucks was sent out by Mir Khairul Alam, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Dinajpur. The trucks left on Friday afternoon from LSD warehouse of Bangladesh Food Control Department at Phulhat in Dinajpur town. 

“Our trucks will carry the rice up to Phulbari point of Nepal, while trucks from Nepal will carry the load to Kakarvita,” said the DC.

Giasuddin Ahmed, director of the Department of Disaster Management, Abu Raihan Mia, ADC (General), Abdul Kadir, district food controller and Mokhlesur Rahman, district relief and rehabilitation officer in Dinajpur, were also present on the occasion.

“The total shipment of 10,000 metric tons of rice will be completed by this month by road via Banglabandha port in Tentulia, Panchagarh,” added the DC, thanking the Indian government for allowing Bangladesh transit facilities for the shipment.

Around 5,500 metric tons of rice is coming from Dinajpur and the rest from Thakurgaon. 

This food assistance for the earthquake-affected people of Nepal is being sent out as per the directive of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Talking to The Daily Star, rice millers of Dinajpur said they feel proud to be a part of this friendly gesture to the people of Nepal.

“We thank Sheikh Hasina for her decision ... this [gesture] will strengthen the bond between Bangladesh and Nepal,” said Mosaddeque Hossain, President of Dinajpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Earlier, Bangladesh sent rice to Sri Lanka as humanitarian assistance.