BRAC has recently conducted a survey to get an insight into the overall sense of public awareness about the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impact in Bangladesh. A sum of 2,317 respondents (68% from rural areas and 32% from urban) from various socio-economic backgrounds in 64 districts combined the survey conducted from 9 to 13 May 2020. Of them, 37.5% were men and 63.5% women.
The study summary shows daily salary earners have gradually started to regain their livelihood. However, many of these people and their families will still need help for at least three more months to recover from the setback posed by the pandemic.
The conclusions of the perception survey titled ‘COVID-19 awareness and economic impact’ were shown at a digitally assembled press conference. Abul Kalam Azad, Former Principal Coordinator (SDG Affairs), Prime Minister’s Office, Sudipto Mukherjee, Resident Representative of UNDP in Bangladesh, Mizanur Rahman Khan, Joint Editor, Prothom Alo, Shameran Abed, Senior Director, BRAC, and Nobonita Chowdhury, Director, BRAC, joined the event as panelists. KAM Morshed, Senior Director, BRAC, moderated the press conference.
Speaking at the announcement, former Principal Coordinator of SDG Affairs at the Prime Minister’s Office Abul Kalam Azad lauded the BRAC initiative and maintained all microfinance institutions (MFIs) and NGOs need to follow BRAC footsteps in returning savings to low-income people.
BRAC Senior Director Shameran Abed accredited the role of MFIs in reaching cash assistance to vulnerable people and enterprises.
BRAC, with the assistant of donors and partners, has delivered emergency cash supporter to 360,000 families. Under the Microfinance program, savings were returned to 500,000 members, to support in their economic recovery process.
Sudipto Mukherjee, Resident UNDP Representative, stressed on joint efforts to avert the crisis posed by the pandemic.
