foreign-affairs
Bangladesh to provide loans to returnee migrants
The government on Tuesday said it will arrange loans for returnee migrant workers to enable them pursue viable income activities, particularly in the agriculture sector.
The loans, to be arranged by the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment will be up to Tk 500,000-700,000.
Meanwhile, the government announced that every Bangladeshi returnee will be given Tk 5,000 on arrival at the airport as conveyance and the families of expatriate workers who died of coronavirus will be given Tk 300,000 each.
In continuation of two previous meetings to address the challenges of COVID-19 pandemic, particularly repatriation of stranded Bangladeshi citizens abroad, the third meeting of the same nature was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which discussed the issues.
The meeting was presided over by Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen.
Expatriates’ Welfare Minister Imran Ahmed, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, Principal Staff Officer (Armed Forces Division), Chairman Civil Aviation Authority, secretaries and senior officials from different ministries, divisions, and agencies were present at the meeting.
A range of issues relating to repatriation, nationality verification, quarantine, relief for the expatriates, coordination among departments, sending medicines and medical equipment to friendly countries, post repatriation preparedness were discussed elaborately.
As a goodwill gesture, a medical team equipped with medical gadgets and medicine from the Armed Forces Division has been sent to help Kuwait in this critical moment.
Also, as a friendly gesture, Bangladesh is sending food stuff, medicines, medical equipment and other items to Maldives, the Foreign Ministry said.
A consignment of medicines and medical items will be sent to Bhutan shortly. Bangladesh is also planning to send similar items to other countries in need.
The Armed Forces Division (AFD), in coordination with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has been working to prepare quarantine centres at different places in Dhaka and other districts with a capacity of around 4,000 persons for institutional quarantine.
The AFD has been in close liaison with the Health Ministry and Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh for post-arrival formalities including quarantine of the returnees.
Foreign Ministry will coordinate with CAAB for smooth airport reception and ease in landing permission of special flights carrying Bangladesh nationals from different countries.
Govt, humanitarian community to ensure health services in Rohingya camps: IOM
The government and the humanitarian community, including the International Organization for Migration (IOM), are now delivering a "wide array of supports" to ensure that health services for both Rohingyas and the host community are ready.
3 Bangladeshi corona patients die in Qatar, over 500 infected: Envoy
Three Bangladeshi nationals have so far died from coronavirus in Qatar while more than 500 are undergoing treatment at different hospitals there after being diagnosed with the deadly virus.
"Over 500 Bangladesh nationals in Qatar have tested positive for coronavirus and they’re undergoing treatment in various hospitals there. Three of the Bangladesh nationals died while undergoing treatment, " Bangladesh Ambassador to Qatar Ashud Ahmed told UNB.
The number of Bangladeshis infected with coronavirus may rise further as the total number of cases in Qarar is growing, officials said.
Qatar has so far recorded seven coronavirus deaths since the pandemic began, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Besides, a total of 3,428 cases were confirmed in that country until Tuesday.
According to Qatar’s Health Ministry, a total of 373 Covid-19 patients made full recovery from the disease.
The ministry called on community members to adhere strictly to precautions and preventive measures and social distancing to lessen their chances of getting infected by the virus, according to the Gulf News.
About 3.5 lakh workers from Bangladesh are currently employed in Qatar, according to officials in Dhaka.
214 Canadians leave Bangladesh
A total of 214 Canadian citizens left Dhaka by a chartered flight after 9pm on Tuesday.
UAE reconsidering ties with countries refusing to take back nationals: Embassy
The United Arab Emirates is considering options to restructure its cooperation and labour relations with countries refusing to receive their nationals working in UAE private sector, its embassy in Dhaka on Tuesday.
Pahela Baishakh: US, Australian envoys greet Bangladeshis
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl Miller and Australian High Commissioner in Dhaka Jeremy Bruer on Tuesday greeted Bangladeshis on the occasion of Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bangla New Year.
Covid-19: Govt yet to receive any fund from Japan to support prevention bid
The government of Bangladesh has not yet received any fund from the government of Japan to support Bangladesh's efforts to fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, says an official.
Bangladesh, US partner to help US citizens return home by 3rd chartered flight
The US Embassy in Dhaka on Monday helped several hundred American citizens and family members return to the United States as part of its response to the global challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stranded foreigners can extend their stay in India until April 30
Indian Ministry of Home Affairs has decided to extend stay for the foreign nationals who got stranded in India due to travel restrictions amid coronavirus pandemic worldwide until April 30.
ADB triples COVID-19 response package to $20bn
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Monday tripled the size of its response to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic to $20 billion and approved measures to streamline its operations for quicker and more flexible delivery of assistance.