Dhaka, Nov 15 (V7N)- The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief has initiated a plan to provide financial assistance to underprivileged individuals in 61 upazilas, aiming to reduce poverty in these areas.

"Fifty percent of people in these upazilas live below the poverty line. We are implementing a program to provide food and livelihood assistance to help lift them above the poverty line," stated Disaster Management and Relief Adviser Faruk E Azam, Bir Protik.

During the first 100 days of the interim government, the ministry has prioritized grassroots poverty reduction, treating it as a disaster that needs urgent intervention.

Under the program, each family will receive Tk1,000 for food and Tk2,000 for livelihood support. The initiative will be piloted in 61 upazilas where poverty rates are alarmingly high.

Among these, 24 upazilas are in the Rangpur division, 14 are in the Chittagong Hill Tracts under the Chittagong division, 10 are in Kishoreganj district under the Dhaka division, five in the Khulna division, seven in the Mymensingh division, and one in the Barisal division.

Additionally, the ministry plans to extend the pilot program to 14 more upazilas where 47% of people suffer from malnutrition. These include five upazilas in the Sylhet division, four in Chittagong, two in Rajshahi, and one each in Rangpur, Mymensingh, and Barisal divisions.

Faruk E Azam also called on donor organizations, including NGOs, to collaborate with the program to accelerate poverty reduction efforts.

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