ISDE begins food aid for 5,000 flood-hit families in Cox’s Bazar
ISDE Bangladesh distributed food packages to 1,000 flood-affected and low-income families in the municipality of Chakaria, Cox's Bazar, to bolster food security following recent floods. The effort is part of a broader initiative targeting 5,000 vulnerable families across three upazilas in the district.
The distribution took place at the Chakaria Korak Bidyapith field on Friday, 17 July, reaching families selected for their vulnerability resulting from the recent flooding.
Funded by Saudi Arabia's King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), the programme will also support families in Pekua and Matamuhuri upazilas.
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Each family received a package containing 10kg of rice, 7kg of lentils, three litres of soya bean oil, 1kg of sugar, and 1kg of salt.
Organisers noted that many residents lost their homes, belongings, and livelihoods in the floods, with rising food prices further straining low-income households. The initiative seeks to provide immediate relief and improve food security for those most affected.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Chakaria and Matamuhuri, Shaheen Delwar, attended the distribution programme as the Chief Guest.
He said humanitarian assistance plays a crucial role in supporting disadvantaged communities, and that development organisations complement government social protection efforts.
"Ensuring that assistance reaches those genuinely affected is a commendable initiative," he said.
Assistant Commissioner (Land) Rupayan Deb attended as a special guest.
He said the food distribution was conducted with transparency and accountability, adding that coordinated action by government agencies and development organisations could help alleviate people's suffering.
Political figures AM Ali Akbar, Shahidul Islam, Sheikh Ahmad, and Nasir Uddin; social workers Lion Ziaul Karim and Mansur Alam; and businessperson Shamsuddin Titus were present at the event.
Programme Coordinator Jahangir Alam, Upazila Manager Jalal Uddin, Project Officer Supam Barua, and Project Officer for Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Taj Uddin represented ISDE Bangladesh.
Programme Coordinator Jahangir Alam said ISDE Bangladesh would provide food assistance to 5,000 flood-affected families in Chakaria, Pekua, and Matamuhuri.
He said standing beside disaster-affected and economically disadvantaged people is the organisation's commitment.
He added that the organisation has been conducting humanitarian activities for host communities and Rohingya refugees with support from the local administration.
Beneficiaries said the assistance would help ease the pressure of rising food costs and meet their families' needs for several days.
ISDE Bangladesh said it has previously distributed food assistance to around 55,000 beneficiaries in Rohingya refugee camps and host communities across Cox's Bazar.
