Legal action must be taken against those interfering in relief distribution

A recent study by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) found that 54 per cent of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) faced difficulties in distributing relief and safety supplies during the coronavirus period. In particular, local people's representatives and politically influential persons have interfered in compiling the list of beneficiaries. As a result, despite being ineligible for relief, many received it more than once, on the other hand, the one who needed, it has not received the relief for once.

The study was conducted from July 2020 to December 2021. As part of the study, data was collected from 64 non-governmental organisations in 44 districts. Of these, 9 are international, 23 are national and 42 are local level NGOs. In addition, 589 beneficiaries who received services from various non-governmental organisations took part in the survey.

More than two-thirds of the non-governmental organisations participating in the study started Covid-19 activities in the first three months (March 2020 to May 2020). About 83 per cent of the organisations distributed relief items in the form of packages, including food and security supplies and cash.

According to the study, about 36.5 per cent of non-government organisations provide corona-related healthcare. About 56 per cent of the organisations provide cash assistance to the destitute and helpless people. About 83 per cent of companies distributed protective products such as PPE, sanitizers and soap.

The TIB report also revealed the identities of the powerful people. Among them are local people's representatives as well as leaders and activists of political parties. It is easily transpired that these people's representatives or leaders and activists are from ruling Awami League.

It is not possible for the government alone to deal with a national disaster like the Covid-19. For this reason, non-government organisations have also came forward. However, there was a lack of coordination between government and non-government organisations in distributing relief.

As a result, the same person has received relief materials from both government and non-government organisations, while many have not received relief materials at all. There are also allegations that grassroots powerful people have intervened in the compilation of the list of beneficiaries. It is not only unfortunate, but disturbing too.

From politics to academia, from business to government and non-government organisations, powerful people are everywhere. The law is unable to prevented their intervention. Many of us have become accustomed to all this. There are many who try to persuade powerful people from their position. It is not acceptable these people to take a share or obstruct the distribution of relief materials including masks, PPEs by the non-governmental organisations at the grassroots level to prevent corona.

The government should take action by finding these influential people on the basis of TIB research. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Local Government has taken action against many local people's representatives due to irregularities and corruption in relief work. In that case, those who have failed to provide relief and assistance to the private sector should also be brought under the law.

The TIB report also criticised the microfinance institutions which had forced people to pay loan instalments during the corona period. Why would the non-governmental organisations working for the betterment of the poor people treat them inhumanely? They are expected to be generous and humane.