The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will now disburse cash assistance and incentives directly to its beneficiaries through bKash. This initiative aims to make FAO’s financial management at the field level simpler, more transparent, and secure. As a result, beneficiaries can receive assistance instantly in their bKash accounts and use the funds for their emergency and daily needs, a press release said.
An agreement was recently signed between the two organisations at the FAO Bangladesh Country Office in Dhaka, with senior representatives in attendance. Jiaoqun Shi, FAO Representative; Dia Sanou, Deputy FAO Representative; Ekramul Hoque, Assistant FAO Representative (Administration) were present from FAO. Representing bKash were Ali Ahmmed, Chief Commercial Officer; Masrur Chowdhury, Head of Business Sales; Novera Ayesha Zaman, VP, Micro Finance Payment, Business Sales.
Under this agreement, FAO will utilise bKash’s ‘Disbursement Solution’ to send non-conditional cash assistance to natural disaster-affected communities including farmers, fishermen, livestock keepers, day-labourers etc. Since disasters can occur at any time, this system allows FAO to make immediate disbursements whenever required, including weekends and holidays. This support will help them meet their immediate needs and aid in early recovery.
In addition, FAO will use bKash’s ‘Disbursement Solution’ to implement its Cash-for-Work (CFW) initiatives. Under this programme, vulnerable people receive cash wages in exchange for short-term work that supports agriculture, food security, and natural resource management. This will make it easier to build resilience and ensure sustainable livelihoods among vulnerable populations.
Programme facilitators of this programme will also receive their allowances directly through bKash.
Recipients can cash out their payments from bKash agent points or ATM booths spread across the country. They can also use their bKash accounts from home for various services, including merchant payments, utility bill payments (gas, electricity, water), money transfers, mobile recharging, educational or government fee payments, without needing to visit an agent point.
