The Bangladesh Army’s Ruma Zone (36 Bir) has carried out a humanitarian assistance programme in several remote hill communities of Ruma Upazila in Bandarban, providing support in the fields of education, healthcare, sports, and emergency assistance.
The day-long programme was conducted on Monday (27 July) under the direction of Lieutenant Colonel Mehedi Hasan Sarkar, Zone Commander of Ruma Zone (36 Bir). Based on the needs of local residents, the initiative included the distribution of educational materials, sports equipment, clean water storage facilities, patient transportation equipment, and financial assistance. As part of the programme, a 1,000-litre water tank was provided to residents of Puraton Paindu Ujani Para to improve access to safe drinking water. In addition, the people of Kyulongkhyang Para received footballs, volleyballs, and two volleyball nets to encourage sports and recreational activities among local youth.
Students from Barathali Marma Para, Chhalchhara Para, and Tripura Para were also provided with notebooks, whiteboards, footballs, and other educational and sports materials. Furthermore, a stretcher with a carrying frame was donated to Barathali Para to facilitate the emergency transportation of patients. The humanitarian programme also included financial assistance for the funeral expenses of a deceased resident in Boga Lake Para. Additionally, financial support was provided to Karna Tripura of Barathali Tripura Para to help cover the educational expenses of his two children. Several other underprivileged residents also received cash assistance. Numongpru Marma of Pantala Para received BDT 7,000, while Mong Wai Marma and Sangnupru Marma of Mulfi Para each received BDT 3,000. Expressing their gratitude, local residents said that such need-based assistance would significantly improve living conditions in the remote hill communities. They noted that improved access to education, clean water, emergency medical support, and sports facilities would greatly benefit the local population. Karna Tripura, a resident of Barathali Tripura Para, said, *”I have been struggling financially for a long time to support my family and continue my children’s education. I was deeply worried about their future. The financial assistance from the Bangladesh Army will help ensure they can continue their studies. I am sincerely grateful.”Lieutenant Colonel Mehedi Hasan Sarkar, Zone Commander of Ruma Zone (36 Bir), said, *”The Bangladesh Army is committed not only to safeguarding the country’s security but also to improving the quality of life of people living in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. We will continue to implement education, healthcare, humanitarian assistance, and other social development programmes based on the needs of local communities.”