Thousands of low-income people, especially those who are depending on their daily income to survive in Dhaka city, are in a bleak situation due to a 10-day government shutdown to fight the coronavirus epidemic.

To ease their sufferings, many people and voluntary organisations are coming forward with help. Tanbir Hasan Shaikat, a member of Dhaka University Central Students Union (DUCSU), is one such individual. Shaikat is feeding around 200 people daily.

"On March 25, initially, I distributed food among 50 marginalised people, living on city streets. Later, university teachers, DU alumni and my friends started helping me," Shaikat said.

Talking to The Daily Star, Shaikat said that he is now distributing essential commodities to at least 100 families and food to at least 200 people every day.   

"I don't want anyone to face food crisis amid such epidemic and that is why I, with the help of three to four friends, am preparing food for street people," said Shaikat, a masters student of DU theatre and performance studies department.

"As a student leader and a student of DU, I feel it's my duty to stand beside people during this crisis period. If anyone considers this to be 'showing off', no problem. I want to do this for disadvantaged people," he said.