Grameenphone will donate Tk 15 crore to Brac’s emergency food assistance fund, which will help the NGO to reach 1 lakh affected families, said a press release on Friday.

Each family will receive Tk 1,500 for two weeks’ essential food supplies under the programme, it said.

‘Dakche Amar Desh’, a solidarity platform and call to action for public fundraising and institutional contribution, was announced through videoconferencing where Grameenphone CEO Yasir Azman and Brac Executive Director Asif Saleh among other officials were present.

A nationwide survey by Brac among 2,675 low-income people in 64 districts reveals that 14 percent of low-income families do not have food at home.

Due to the general holidays and lockdown aimed at social distancing, 72 percent of the respondents reported jobloss or reduced work opportunities.

Grameenphone CEO Yasir Azman said public-private sector needs to come together to tackle the COVID-19.  

Apart from this initiative, Grameenphone will continue working with DG Health, a2i, BTRC, World Health Organization (WHO), Unicef to support the government during this pandemic, he said.

Brac Executive Director Asif Saleh said, “Brac has mobilised the entire organisation from the onset with over 1 lakh field staff, health workers and volunteers on the ground.”

This is a humanitarian crisis, not just a health pandemic, he said, adding that they have already mobilised Tk 30 crore to support 2 lakh families.

The generous support from Grameenphone will enable them to scale up further, Asif added.

Any individual or institution may join this cause by sending assistance through 
Bank Account Name: Brac
Number: 150120-2316474001
Name: BRAC BANK
Gulshan-1, Gulshan Avenue, Dhaka or by bKash at 01730321765