Photo: BSS

BHOLA, April 25, 2026 (BSS) - Fishermen in Bhola district are expressing their excitement and gratitude as the government begins distributing food assistance to families affected by the ongoing two-month fishing ban on Jatka conservation in the Meghna and Tentulia rivers.

For the first time, the district administration, alongside the Fisheries Department, is providing a comprehensive food package to the unemployed fishermen, which includes not only rice but also several essential food items. 

The distribution, which began on April 24, marks the second day of assistance, with more families set to receive their packages in the coming days.

The distribution event was formally inaugurated by Bhola Deputy Commissioner Dr. Md. Shamim Rahman at the Bhola Sadar Upazila Parishad auditorium. The initiative is part of the Hilsa Resource Development and Management Project, and a total of 13,600 families in the district are set to benefit from this program.

The food packages include 10 liters of soybean oil, 12 kg of flour, 8 kg of pulses, 16 kg of potatoes, 4 kg of sugar, and 4 kg of salt, which will help families over the two-month ban period. 

The assistance is designed to alleviate the hardships faced by the local fishing communities, especially those from the Manta community, who are primarily dependent on fishing for their livelihoods.

Previously, only rice was distributed to these families during the ban, but this year, additional food items have been included on an experimental basis, in response to the fishermen's requests for more diverse assistance. 

District Fisheries Officer Md. Iqbal Hossain explained, "Although rice was provided before, this year, we’ve included other essential food items to meet the daily needs of the families. This will help improve their nutritional intake during the fishing ban."

The first batch of food items was handed out to 1,200 families from Sadar upazila on the inauguration day. Beneficiaries, including both male and female fishermen from the Manta community, shared their happiness and satisfaction after receiving the assistance.

Shahinur Begum, a female fisherman, expressed her heartfelt gratitude with a smile on her face: "I am so happy with the food items provided. May Allah bless Prime Minister Tarique Rahman with a long life for helping us," she said. Another woman, Kohinur, echoed similar sentiments, offering prayers for the Prime Minister's good health and well-being.

Harun Majhi, Safiq, and Shanu Majhi, three male fishermen from the community, praised the government’s initiative. "Previously, we only got rice. Sometimes it was even stolen by party members, but this time, we’ve received rice along with other daily necessities," they said. They also mentioned that the government's support during the ban would discourage them from attempting to fish during the prohibited period.

Deputy Commissioner Dr. Shamim Rahman emphasized that the government’s initiative is aimed at improving the quality of life for fishermen and supporting them during the fishing ban. 

"If this pilot program proves successful, we hope to continue it in the future," he said.

However, some fishermen have expressed regret over the timing of the distribution. "It would have been more helpful if we had received these items in early March, when the ban started," they said.

Bhola district is home to around 188,000 registered fishermen. Of these, approximately 88,000 fishermen receive 40 kg of rice each month under the general government assistance program. 

The ongoing food distribution aims to enhance this support and ensure that families have access to adequate nutrition during the two-month conservation ban.

This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to the well-being of the district's fishermen, ensuring that they have the resources to maintain their livelihood even during the off-season of fishing.