Covid-19: Project launched to ensure safe, nutritious food

A project titled 'EatSafe: Evidence and Action towards Safe, Nutritious Food: Covid-19 Response' has been launched to face the situation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic in the country.

Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), a Switzerland-based NGO, organised an inauguration event of the project at the seminar room of Science Bhaban of the Government Teachers' Training College, Dhaka on Monday, reads a press release

Initially, the project will be implemented with the involvement of food commodity suppliers, sellers, buyers and eminent local people, led by the leaders of the New Market and Islampur vegetable market committees.

Unnayan Sangha, a NGO, will implement the year-long project in association with GAIN and with financial support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

While inaugurating the project, Dhaka South City Corporation councillor ASM Ferdous, stressed on awareness and an integrated initiative for ensuring the availability of safe food amid the Covid-19 crisis.

Speakers at the programme put emphasis on a smooth market management system for ensuring nutritious and safe food for people.

They also called upon private entrepreneurs to come forward to diversify food and ensure nutritious and safe food along with smooth market management amid the pandemic.

GAIN's country director Dr Rudaba Khandker called upon all concerned to work together for ensuring safe and nutritious food.

The tenure of the project may be extended in view of the prevailing situation and demand.

Chaired by Md Moklesur Rahman, president of Banalata Market Business Association, New Market, Dhaka, Dr Samrat Naser Khaleque, general secretary of the association, Momtaj Shahanara, acting vice principal of the college, also spoke at the event. 

Shakhawat Hossain, project director of Unnayan Sangha, gave a welcome speech, while GM Reza Sumon, programme associate of GAIN, made a presentation about the project.