Ramadan food distribution is a signature program of Islamic Relief. In 2023, Islamic Relief distributed 400 food packs to vulnerable communities in Mithapukur, a sub-district of Rangpur in Bangladesh.

Rangpur is one of the poverty-prone districts in Bangladesh. Within the area, families cannot afford to buy food the whole year round. During Ramadan, this makes fasting difficult, as they often go days without a proper meal is difficult.

To combat this issue, Islamic Relief has ensured that families in Rangpur get enough food throughout Ramadan.

Struggling to Feed Their Family

One of the recipients is Sultana Razia, a 45-year-old mother of 3. Her husband is the family’s breadwinner, but she tries to earn some income to help him out wherever she can.

“I work as a seasonal day labourer, picking potatoes from the land, harvesting rice from the paddy field. Being a Iabourer, I only earn BDT 200 a day. I do sewing at home from which I earn BDT 250 in a week. I give all my earnings to my husband to spend for family purposes. Thus, I contribute to my family.

“I do not have any steady income. I feel bad when I cannot share family expenses. My husband does not earn much, and it is difficult for him to run the whole family with his little income.

“During this difficult period, we cannot provide food to our daughters. Sometimes they starve and go to sleep without food. We eat one or a maximum of two meals a day instead of three meals. My daughters suffer from malnutrition due to lack of food and become physically weak.”

How Islamic Relief Has Helped  

Sultana and her family are regular recipients of aid from Islamic Relief. In 2022, she received a Ramadan food pack and Qurban during Eid al-Adha. Her family also received winter clothes in December 2021 from Islamic Relief’s winterisation program.

In early 2021, she participated in the “Preventing Early Marriage in Bangladesh” project In Mithapukur Upazila, as her second daughter, Rubaya Akhter, was selected as a direct beneficiary of the project. The program gave them BDT 5000 as a grant to increase family income.

The Impact of Ramadan Food Packs

Likewise, in 2023, like many other needy families in her village, Sultana and her family, received a Ramadan food pack from Islamic Relief.

“People in my neighbourhood are poor and the Ramadan pack is a blessing to everyone. The pack gives them comfort and ensures their food security. As such, they sincerely concentrate on their prayers with more devotion.

“This Ramadan food pack is a great help to me. We are a family of 5 members. Before, we hardly managed 3 meals. Now Islamic Relief has ensured our meals in Ramadan. We would be able to break our fast together. We are so much relieved now.

“I would like to extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to Islamic Relief from the bottom of my heart. By distributing the Ramadan food pack, Islamic Relief has supported many vulnerable people like us. We are extremely happy to receive these Ramadan food packages.

“I would also like to convey my gratitude to donors, and I will always pray for donors so they continue distributing Ramadan food package in future.”