Seeking relief at midnight
Shafiqul Islam s a painter by profession but with the coronavirus outbreak, all construction projects are held up and he is out of work. He had a fridge, television and other amenities at home in Kathalbagan in the capital city, but no food. He would be paid by the day, but with no work, he has now run out of funds. He has no other alternative but to take to the streets in search of relief and assistance.
The mask that covered his face was as much as a protection against the virus as it was to protect his pride.
It was 11:30 Friday night and Shafiqul Islam was sitting on the road divider near the Karwan Bazar SAARC fountain. He was neat and clean, in a fresh lungi and vest and hardly looked like someone who would roam the streets in search of food. But every time he heard a vehicle, he looked up, alert. Perhaps relief was on the way. The mask that covered his face was as much as a protection against the virus as it was to protect his pride.
There were around 20 people at the intersection, mostly women. The little crowd of people included homeless as well as day labourers. They hung around the area, some sitting, some standing, some chatting among themselves. The lamppost shed light on them, accentuating their desperation as they waited for succour.
Shafiqul Islam shared his story. He had three children. His two daughters were married and his son went to school. His sons-in-law were day labourers. One of his daughters worked in a beauty salon and the other in an oral saline factory. They all lived together in a house they rented for Tk 13,000.With no work, they were now all on the streets in search of food. The future was uncertain.
When he realised he was speaking to a journalist, Shafiqul was momentarily taken aback. Then he said, “It’s okay. You can mention my name. There are so many Shafiquls in this city.”
At Golap Shah Mazar in Gulistan, around 30 people or so had gathered, also waiting for assistance. It was 12:15 am when someone came along with food loaded on a cycle-van. The people formed a queue. The person who had brought the food was a leader of Chhatra League’s Dhaka South unit. He has four or five assistants with him. He handed out packets of ‘khichhuri’ and chicken. One of the activists live cast it all on Facebook, with a running commentary. A few rickshaw-pullers also took packets of food. One of the rickshaw-pullers, Saiful, said, “Many people come here to distribute food. They always give good meals.”
There were more people at the Malibagh intersection. Two neaty dressed women stopped the motorbike and asked for food. Disappointed at hearing this was just a journalist, they turned away seeking relief elsewhere.
There were people scattered all over the city in the late hours of the night, hoping for help. One of the persons handing out relief, on condition of anonymity, said it was very difficult to distribute relief during the day as people would almost mob anyone with relief goods. That is why it was better to go around the city late at night with these essentials for the needy.
* This report appeared in the print edition of Prothom Alo and has been rewritten in English by Ayesha Kabir