Dhaka, 01 April 2020: Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) today urged the government to set up a special ‘Leave No One Behind Fund’ to alleviate the suffering of the marginalized communities and workers in informal sector, caused by Covid-19 pandemic.

“People belonging to various types of marginalized communities and informal sector workers are hardest hit in the absence of economic activities and income, following county-wide shutdown due to corona virus”, Shaheen Anam, Executive Director of MJF said.

“While we appreciate government’s efforts to offer economic packages for RMG workers and relief for vulnerable groups,  the compensation for marginalized communities and informal sector workers are not enough  compared to per capita allocation of resources“, MJF added.

“The poor and the most vulnerable people need to be protected in this crises moment and MJF calls upon the Government to set up a Leave No One Behind Fund’ in the upcoming national budget to reflect its political commitment of reducing poverty made under the Seventh Five Year Plan and Sustainable Development Goals”, the statement added.

“We should also not forget that seasonal floods are likely beginning July-August which will further intensify the suffering of those already hardest hit by income loss during the present crisis, the statement noted.

Highlighting the need for maintaining highest level of transparency, accountability and integrity in managing such special fund including the ongoing ones, MJF urged the government do more to rise to the occasion so that lives of millions of needy people in Bangladesh are fully protected during Covid 19 crisis and beyond.

END/