Bidyanondo, Suhana & Anis Ahmed Foundation team up to feed the poor

When many of Bangladesh's rural people are in dire straits amid the nationwide shutdown, Suhana & Anis Ahmed Foundation has come forward to distribute food to about 22,000 families through Bidyanondo Foundation.

Contributions from the foundation will help Bidyanondo send much-needed support to some of the millions of families who are struggling without an income.

Suhana & Anis Ahmed Foundation has provided Tk1.05 crore in cash as a special Covid-19 financial support to Bidyanondo, according to a press release issued on Sunday.

With the support of the Bangladesh Army, the Border Guard Bangladesh and local organisations, the poor families in remote areas will get essentials to prepare three meals a day. The support package consists of rice, oil, lentil, flour, salt and semolina, and 90 percent of it will be spent outside Dhaka.

Bidyanondo Foundation – a non-profit social welfare organisation – was one of the first to leap into action when confirmed cases of the Covid-19 began to emerge in Bangladesh. It provided food and medical safety to people in need. 

When most of the social welfare organisations and activities are based in Dhaka, Bidyanondo has spread its activity to the remote areas of the country. It now has 12 wings – 11 outside Dhaka – including seven permanent infrastructures in northern Bangladesh and hilly areas. 

The organisation has fed 200,000 plus families till now and "arranges food for about 15,000 people daily. Also, it distributed 5,000 personal protective equipment and 20,000 masks. It is distributing around 9,000 litres of sanitisers in Chattogram every day too," said the media release.

Anis Ahmed, co-founder and trustee of Suhana& Anis Ahmed Foundation, said, "Partnering with Bidyanondo is a watershed moment in our foundation's journey" to give"life-changing support to our very own large community, who are confused, helpless, and need every possible strength we can give them."

Kishor Kumar, founder of Bidyanondo, said, "Suhana& Anis Ahmed Foundation came forward when we were stumbling with financial difficulties to reach across the country. Thanks to the Suhana& Anis Ahmed Foundation, now we will be able to deliver food to 22,000 hungry families."

Starting in 2009, Suhana & Anis Ahmed Foundation has been actively working in healthcare, education and other sectors working closely with Bidyanondo Foundation, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Chattogram Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh Eye Trust Hospital, ShailanProbeenNibash and many more.

Founded in 2013, Bidyanondo has been working on changing lifestyles of the groups left behind and providing basic needs and hygiene materials to them.