The needy in Bangladesh cannot afford quality food for fasting. The particular groups (elderly, persons with a disability, lactating and pregnant, widow) are facing more food scarcity during Ramadan. Food Pack/Food Voucher) before and during the holy month of Ramadan to the fasting poor, elderly peoples, orphans, People with Disabilities (PWD) and vulnerable families in Bangladesh – where some 6,378 individuals of 1,430 families would be covered through Zakatul Fitr (Cash), Food vouchers and Food Pack.

In the upcoming Ramadan 2019, Muslim Aid- Bangladesh Field Office will distribute food vouchers among the vulnerable beneficiary, which entitles the voucher holder to buy food items (as per current market price) up to the cash value written on the voucher (BDT2,300). The holder can make purchases easily from the selected super shops or stalls, which have agreed to participate in the program by accepting the food vouchers. The food vouchers recipients will be able to spend on any food items which the participating shops sell. The shop then redeems the vouchers with Muslim Aid or service providers. Muslim Aid will implement the Food voucher program in Dhaka areas (especially in slum areas where most impoverished of the poor families are living).

Food Packs:

Muslim Aid- Bangladesh Field Office will distribute food packs equivalent to food vouchers (BDT2,300) among the selected families in remote areas because, in remote regions like Char/isolated small island areas, food quality is a concern where food items are not in standard quality. In addition to that, super shops are not available in the rural areas from where the beneficiaries can purchase the food items using the voucher. Muslim Aid will implement the intervention (Food pack) in the Moulvibazar district.

The following food items included in each package:

Based on the previous experience, food habits of the rural peoples, and consultation with the community, the following food items selected for the food package.

Fine Rice (Chinigura brand): 1 Kg
Coarse rice: 15 Kg
Potato: 5 Kg
Pulse (Lentil): 1 Kg
Soybean oil: 2 Litre
Sugar (White): 1 Kg
Gram (Chickpeas): 1 Kg
Powder milk (DANO brand): 500 Gram
Dates Crown (packet): 1 Kg

Zakat ul Fitr (Cash): MABCO will distribute Zakatul Fitr (cash) BDT1,000 to each of 791 families in Lalmonirhat and Kurigram district as Zakat ul Fitr. The beneficiary will be selected considering the criteria of Sariah, who is eligible for Zakat ul Fitr. After the selection and approval of beneficiaries, MAB will distribute cash (hand to hand) among the selected beneficiaries in the presence of MABCO representatives, Local government, and government officials. This cash intervention will be implemented in partnership with MAB. MAB will be responsible for the overall implementation of the project under close monitoring of MABCO.

The violence and discrimination in Myanmar over the decades has pushed the Rohgingya community to flee partially across the border of Bangladesh. It is estimated that over 655,000 Rohingya refugees had been living in Bangladesh before the influx took place at the end of August 2017. Currently, there are more than 1.2 million Rohingya in Bangladesh; the majority are undocumented refugees (UMN) without any legal status. 

Although many international agencies are providing basic food for Rohingya refugees, it is not enough to meet their needs, especially during the holy month of Ramadan. Muslim Aid USA made efforts in Ramadan 2020 to provide basic food along with additional food items for Iftar and Suhur, allowing refugees to perform their fast properly.

Through our Feed the Fasting program, we distributed 120 food packages to 120 families during the month of Ramadan to Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.

The Ramadan food packages consisted of:

• Wheat flour 
• Cooking oil 
• Dates

In Ramadan 2020, Muslim Aid distributed food vouchers to vulnerable beneficiaires, entitling the voucher holder to buy food items up to the cash value written on the voucher. The vouchers were distributed in the slum areas of Dhaka where the most impoverished families live.