Countrymen on their minds

A US-based charity organisation run by Bangladeshi expatriates has extended support to underprivileged families hit by the Covid-19 shutdown.

Agami Education Foundation, a sister organisation of Agami Inc USA, has already distributed more than 3000 food packs to underprivileged families who were affected by the ongoing shutdown.

A total of 3,241 families in Dhaka, Gazipur, Comilla, Sylhet, Habiganj, Chittagong, Rangamati, and Jhenaidah have already received relief packets containing 12kg rice, 8kg potato, 2 litre Soybean oil, 2kg salt, 2kg lentil, four Dettol soaps and other necessary commodities, said Tahsin Rouf, who is leading the Covid-19 response for Agami.

"We run 13 schools across the country where around 3,000 students are enrolled. Families of those students are underprivileged. So we stand beside those families. We shall continue to stand by them and do what is necessary to keep them safe," Rouf told The Daily Star.

Shirin Akter, a teacher from Agami-supported school PSD Nandipara at Khilgaon, thanked AEF for taking the initiative.

She said the school's students' families are mostly day labourers and they are struggling during the shutdown. "There is a scarcity of food, and Agami Foundation's aid will be very helpful for them," she added.

Nafisa Khanam, AEF executive director, said the relief distribution work started on March 28.

Agami is hosting a fundraising event to support and continue their campaign. Details can be found on their web site -- www.agami.org -- and their Facebook page.

One can also donate to AEF's bank account in Dhaka or through bKash.