Charities donate PPE, food items to needy families in Sittwe

By DMG 03 Sep 2021

DMG Newsroom
3 September 2021, Sittwe 

The Charity Youths Organization and Maramargyi Youth Network, two local charitable groups, on Friday donated Covid-19 preventive equipment (PPE) and food supplies to 400 families in the Arakan State capital Sittwe who are facing livelihood hardships amid the pandemic. 

The medical equipment and food assistance were provided to workers who are struggling to make ends meet amid the coronavirus’s ongoing third wave, said Ko Htoo Htoo, executive director of the Charity Youths Organization. 

“During the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, the poor and grassroots in Sittwe are facing various livelihood hardships because they have not been allowed to go out. This is the reason why we are supporting those who are in trouble at this time,” he said.

 The food supplies were mainly distributed to the grassroots and odd-job workers in Sittwe wards such as Setyon, Danyawady, Kathel, Ywathayar and Kyaytaw, he added. 

The charity groups donated masks, hand sanitisers, soaps, rice, legumes, dried chili, potatoes, eggs and virus protective equipment to those in need. 

“Previously, our group only provided food supplies to the grassroots. But now, together with the Maramagyi Youth Network, we have donated food and medical equipment to 400 families at a rate of K50,000 per household,” he explained.

 The Charity Youths Organization provided Covid-19 protective equipment and basic food items to 200 poor households in Sittwe last month. 

“The Maramargyi Youth Network,” meanwhile, “is not just in Sittwe, but in each township in Arakan State,” said Ko Win Myint, vice chairman of the network. “We also supplied food assistance to the grassroots who are struggling to make ends meet in some townships such as Minbya and Mrauk-U last week. We will provide food supplies to those in need in other townships.” 

The two charities say they will continue to provide assistance to families in need of food during the ongoing third wave of Covid-19, which has caused major economic disruption. 

Stay-at-home orders and other public health restrictions have had far-reaching impacts for most people, from day labourers and shopkeepers to hoteliers and trade merchants.