A total of 593,500 blankets have been allocated from the Chief Advisor's Relief Fund to distribute among cold-stricken and distressed people across the country.

Besides, Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR) has allocated Taka 29.70 crore in the first phase and Taka 21.31 crore in the second phase for the purchase and distribution of blankets, said a ministry press release today.

It added that the allocations were made at the beginning of the winter season to purchase and distribute winter clothes among cold-stricken people in all 64 districts, 495 upazilas and all pourasavas under the country’s eight divisions.

In the first phase a total of 750,589 pieces of blankets have already been purchased and distributed among the cold-stricken and distressed people.

In the second phase seven lakh pieces of blankets have been purchased, and the distribution process among cold-hit people is currently underway.

In addition, funds are being allocated for the purchase of blankets based on the requirements submitted by the deputy commissioners.

Blankets were procured with the fund allocated from the Chief Adviser’s Relief Fund and MoDMR.

Upazila nirbahi officers (UNOs) have already purchased blankets on an emergency basis and distributed them among the needy people following all relevant financial rules and regulations.

MoDMR has instructed all deputy commissioners to closely monitor the purchase and distribution of blankets to ensure proper implementation of the programme.