bKash Boost: FAO to Digitize Direct Aid Disbursement in Bangladesh

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will now deliver financial assistance and incentives directly to its beneficiaries through bKash.

As a result, FAO’s financial management at the field level will become more streamlined, transparent, and secure, while beneficiaries will receive funds instantly in their bKash accounts, enabling them to meet urgent and everyday needs.

It was announced on Monday, 27 April, that an agreement in this regard was recently signed between the two organizations at the FAO Bangladesh Country Office in Dhaka, in the presence of senior officials.

According to sources, FAO Country Representative Xiakun Shi, Deputy Representative Dia Sano, Assistant Representative (Administration) Ekramul Hoque, and from bKash—Chief Commercial Officer Ali Ahmmed, Head of Business (Sales) Mashrur Chowdhury, and Vice President (Microfinance Payment) of the Business Sales Division Novera Ayesha Zaman—were present at the signing ceremony.

Under this agreement, FAO will use bKash’s “Disbursement Solution” to deliver unconditional financial assistance to various groups, including farmers, fishermen, livestock rearers, and day laborers affected by natural disasters. Considering that such disasters can occur at any time, FAO will be able to disburse funds instantly through this service, even on weekends or public holidays.

Additionally, FAO will use bKash’s “Disbursement Solution” for its Cash-for-Work (CFW) programs. Under these initiatives, marginal and vulnerable populations engaged in short-term work related to agriculture, food security, and natural resource management will receive their wages directly in their own bKash accounts.

This direct and simplified wage distribution process is expected to enhance the capacity of vulnerable communities and accelerate sustainable livelihood development. Program implementers will also be able to receive their allowances through bKash.

Beneficiaries will be able to withdraw cash from any bKash agent point or ATM booth across the country. Alternatively, without cashing out, they can use bKash to make various payments from home, including utility bills such as gas, electricity, and water, money transfers, mobile recharges, and payments for educational institutions or government services.

DBTech/ME/EK/OR