Each family received Tk 500,000, bringing the total assistance to Tk 2 million.
The cheques were handed over on Friday at the annual general meeting of the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF), held at the BIAM Multipurpose Hall in New Eskaton, Dhaka.
The assistance was provided to the families of late journalists Harun-or-Rashid Talukder and Humayun Kabir Khokon, as well as for the treatment of journalists Rakib Uddin and Amanur Rahman.
Harun-or-Rashid Talukder, who worked for Dainik Inqilab, had been suffering from kidney complications. His son, Md Touhid Harun, received the Tk 500,000 cheque on behalf of the family.
“My father had been suffering from kidney problems for a long time. The ABG Foundation has stood beside our family during this difficult time. I thank them and hope they will continue supporting journalists in this way,” he said.
The cheque for the family of Humayun Kabir Khokon, former chief reporter of Dainik Amader Shomoy, was received by his wife, Sharmin Sultana Rina.
“My husband died of COVID. Bashundhara Group supported us at that time as well. Receiving this assistance again is very important for our family. We are going through a difficult period, and this support means a lot to us,” she said.
The Tk 500,000 medical assistance for Dainik Sangbad journalist Rakib Uddin was received by his wife, Nasrin Jahan.
She thanked the ABG Foundation for supporting her husband during his illness.
Journalist Amanur Rahman of Dainik Naya Diganta also received Tk 500,000 for medical treatment. He thanked the foundation for the initiative and expressed hope that journalists would continue to receive support in times of need.
Speaking at the programme, ABG DMD and Head of A&F, EWPD and BCDL, and Director of Bashundhara Sports City Md Imrul Hasan said journalists play an important role in presenting social issues and public concerns.
He said financial difficulties can sometimes make it harder for journalists to carry out their professional responsibilities and stressed the importance of supporting journalists facing hardship.
Imrul Hasan said ABG remained committed to supporting journalists and people from different sections of society through the ABG Foundation. He also highlighted the contribution of ABG Chairman Sayem Sobhan Anvir to the foundation’s humanitarian activities.
M Z Hossain Arzu, head of division, Research and Development, ABG, and Md Shajedul Karim, general manager, Geology and Mining, ABG Foundation, were also present at the event.
The BSRF and ABG Foundation also announced plans to jointly organise a media award to encourage responsible journalism.
The proposed award will recognise investigative, public interest and constructive reporting in different areas of journalism, with the ABG Foundation expected to sponsor the initiative.
The foundation also carries out various social assistance programmes, including providing nutritious food to orphaned and disadvantaged children, supporting families affected by river erosion and financial hardship, and providing scholarships to meritorious students.
