Food-laden ship sets sail from Cox's Bazar to Saint Martin's Island

A ship loaded with food essentials is being sent to Saint Martin’s Island from Cox’s Bazar amid severe food shortages following the suspension of vessel operations on the Teknaf-Saint Martin’s Island route.

This suspension, enforced due to unrest in Myanmar near the Bangladesh border, had severely impacted the island’s supply chain.

Over 10,000 residents of Saint Martin’s Island are facing severe food shortages over the past eight days. 

To alleviate their plight, food essentials are being sent to the island via a ship named "MV Baro Aulia" from Cox's Bazar city's Nuniarchhara BIWTA Ghat on Friday. 

Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Cox's Bazar Yamin Hossen, confirmed this information.

ADC Yamin Hossen said that the ship is being dispatched in coordination with the island's businessmen. Additionally, many residents of the currently stranded Saint Martin's Island will return via this ship from Cox's Bazar.

Upon visiting the BIWTA Ghat at 10am on Friday, it was observed that the ship "MV Baro Aulia" is being loaded with rice, lentils, onions, and various other food items. 

At the same time, stranded residents of Saint Martin's Island in different parts of Cox's Bazar are preparing to return home.

Waseem, a resident of Ward no 5 of Saint Martin's Union Parishad said: "After a long wait, we have come to the ghat today to go back to Saint Martin's Island. We see food items being transported, which will be very helpful for us."

Another stranded resident, Ayesha Siddika, said: "I was stuck in Cox's Bazar for medical treatment. Even after my treatment ended two days ago, I couldn't go back to Saint Martin's Island.”

Jashim Uddin, a resident of Saint Martin's Island, said: "For the past four to five days, there has been a severe shortage of fresh vegetables on the island. People are buying onions, garlic, ginger, lentils, and sugar at double the usual price from the local grocery store."

Chairman Mujibur Rahman of Saint Martin's UP said: "For the past week, there has been a halt in maritime traffic between Naf River and Myanmar's border due to gunfire from Myanmar's side targeting Bangladeshi trawlers and speedboats. As a result, there has been a shortage of food and essential items on the island.”