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World Vision BD supports cash grants to 18,000 families


Published : 13 Jun 2020 10:43 PM | Updated : 07 Sep 2020 09:12 PM

International humanitarian organization World Vision Bangladesh has provided about 65 million BDT as cash grant to its beneficiary across the country to in an effort to support the most vulnerable families during pandemic. 

As many as, 18684 families have received the unconditional cash grant in the recent weeks. The cash is aimed at addressing immediate needs of some of the poor populations are facing after the Government of Bangladesh declared a lockdown to prevent and control the spread of coronavirus over 60 days ago.  

For families such as Laboni, 27, a mother of 3 daughters aged 11, 9, and 7, the lockdown has brought unbearable misery and poverty in their home. A single parent, Laboni lost her daily job as 4000 TK that enabled her to buy food for her family. ‘Even though my daily income was not much but it managed to cover at least three basic meals every day.  

I have taken care of my children singlehandedly after their father left us for five years. But the past three months have been very hard for us. I could hardly feed my children 2 times in a day. World Vision has saved my family. After I received 5000 amount from the Bkash, I paid my house rent, buy meat and fish for three children and now my home is happy again’ Laboni said.  

World Vision Bangladesh’s response director for Covid-19 emergency response,  Sagor Marandy said children are most at risk of abuse and exploitation and in need emotional support particularly in crisis such as this. Past experiences such as the Ebola crisis have shown that children are more at risk outside classrooms with increased cases of violence that may include sexual, physical violence, child marriage and mental abuse in the homes.   

Laboni’s family is among 2166 poor and vulnerable households in urban areas that received 5000 Tk unconditional cash while another 16518 in rural area received 3000 TK. 

“In April 2020, World Vision launched a Covid-19 National Response emergency strategy aimed at providing life-saving products, services and delivering key messages to complement government’s effort to respond to   COVID-19. World Vision works among the poorest communities with a focus on children to improve their quality of life. 

COVID 19 has had a major impact on the lives of many vulnerable communities and most have no alternative sources of income.” said Marandy.