DHAKA – Today, the U.S. Embassy, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), released a song entitled “Joy Hobe” to recognize and thank frontline workers who deliver essential services amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.  Since the outbreak in March, Bangladeshi frontline workers have been working tirelessly round the clock and risking their own lives, helping people to stay home and prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus disease.  This USAID-funded initiative was undertaken by ABC Radio (FM 89.2) as a tribute to these real-life superheroes.

Speaking to frontline workers of the debt we owe them, Ambassador Miller said, “They perform remarkable acts of service every day – health care workers, police, customs officials, journalists, people who work in the grocery stores and pharmacies and other businesses, and so many more, so we have what we need to care for ourselves and our families … You are all genuine heroes.  You deserve our immense gratitude.”

USAID Mission Director Derrick S. Brown said, “We have tremendous respect for the hard work and the sacrifice of frontline workers of all stripes – not only doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, but those who clean our hospitals, prepare and deliver our food, keep essential shops open, determine vital policies, transport crucial goods, report on what is happening.  They deserve our warmest thanks … We must continue to do all we can to ensure their safety and security as they help us stay safe and informed.”

The song was sung by prominent musician Fuad Al Muqtadir and featured a group of talented young Bangladeshi singers, including Zohad, Elita, Xefer, Rafa, Tashfee, Palbasha, Emil, and Issa (Farroque Bhai Project).  The video for the song was filmed by the artists themselves from their homes as they do their part to practice social distancing to help stop the spread of COVID-19.  The song premiered jointly on USAID Bangladesh’s social media platforms, and ABC Radio’s and Prothom Alo’s Facebook pages.  Visit this link to watch the music video:

BOX – https://app.box.com/s/55oc1ghdsdqbfxjqcruv4eegx0xwg8nq

The U.S. government was one of the first donors to mobilize funds to support Bangladesh’s COVID-19 readiness and response efforts, contributing over $56.5 million so far, including nearly $37 million from USAID in development and humanitarian assistance.  This assistance is helping to strengthen the COVID-19 testing capacity of Bangladesh laboratories and laboratory staff; improve the care given to COVID-19 patients; reduce and control the spread of the infection; and increase public knowledge and dispel myths and misconceptions about the disease.