Safe food project launched to tackle pandemic

A project aimed at ensuring safe and nutritious foods in the country amid the ongoing pandemic was launched on Monday.

The project titled EatSafe: Evidence and Action towards Safe, Nutritious Food: Covid-19 Response will also highlight smooth market management system.

With the financial support of USAID, a nongovernmental organisation (NGO) Unnayan Sangha will implement the year-long project in association with Switzerland-based NGO Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN).

The project was formally launched at a ceremony organised by Government Teachers' Training College in the city on Monday, a statement said.

ASM Ferdous, councillor of No 18 ward of Dhaka South City Corporation, Shakhawat Hossain, project director of Unnayan Sangha, and GM Reza Sumon, programme associate of GAIN, attended the ceremony among others.

The project will be implemented with the involvement of food commodity suppliers, sellers, buyers and local elites, and initially headed by leaders of New Market and Islampur vegetable market committees.

Creating awareness and undertaking integrated initiatives for ensuring availability of safe foods are vital, observed the speakers.

They also called upon private entrepreneurs to come forward for diversification of foods and ensuring availability of nutritious and safe foods along with smooth market management.

The project's tenure may be extended in view of the prevailing situation and demand, the statement added.

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