NCC Bank and Gana Unnayan Kendra have launched a two-year climate resilience initiative in Gaibandha chars to improve livelihoods, renewable energy access, healthcare services and disaster preparedness for vulnerable communities.
NCC Bank PLC has joined hands with Gana Unnayan Kendra to launch a two-year initiative aimed at strengthening climate resilience and promoting sustainable livelihoods in the char areas of Fulchhari upazila in Gaibandha.
Under its corporate social responsibility programme, NCC Bank will finance the initiative titled “The Adaptive Eco Char Project: A Blueprint for Thriving Dynamic Landscapes”, according to officials.
The project will be implemented in the char areas of Fazlupur and Fulchhari unions under Fulchhari upazila.
Cultivera Limited will work as the strategic partner while Dahuk will serve as the research and evaluation partner.
The agreement was signed recently at the bank’s head office.
NCC Bank Managing Director M Shamsul Arefin and Gana Unnayan Kendra Chief Executive M Abdus Salam signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations.
Among others present at the ceremony were NCC Bank Additional Managing Director M Khurshed Alam; Deputy Managing Directors Md Zakir Anam, Mohammed Mizanur Rahman and Md Habibur Rahman; Executive Vice-President and Head of Sustainable and Women’s Banking Nighat Mumtaz; and Senior Vice-President and Head of Security and Logistics, and Head of NCC Bank Foundation, Khandaker Saiful Alam.
Cultivera Limited Founder and Managing Director Faruque Ahmed and Dahuk Founder and Director Md Magfi Reza Siddique also attended the programme.
The project aims to strengthen the adaptive capacity of char communities facing the growing impacts of climate change while supporting sustainable sources of income.
Its key activities include setting up solar-powered Digital Resilience Centres for early disaster warnings, digital services and training programmes. The initiative will also provide telemedicine-enabled healthcare services, safe drinking water systems and solar panels.
The programme further plans to promote climate-resilient farming, homestead vegetable cultivation and livestock rearing, alongside supporting women’s entrepreneurship and community-based disaster management.
Officials said the initiative is expected to help thousands of families gain access to safe drinking water, renewable energy and healthcare services.
More than 300 families are also expected to receive opportunities for income-generating activities while women-led small businesses and local disaster preparedness efforts will be strengthened.
Speaking at the event, NCC Bank Managing Director M Shamsul Arefin said the bank has long invested in improving the lives of marginalised communities through support for education, healthcare and other basic needs as part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives.
He said the bank is now expanding its commitment to sustainable development for people living in char areas.
“The people of char regions live in extremely vulnerable conditions and face the adverse effects of climate change annually. In these areas, internet connectivity, storage, modern agricultural practices, healthcare and climate information are essentials, not luxuries,” he said.
“This project will integrate these services into a practical model to help families protect their lives and livelihoods, access proper guidance and achieve sustainable development. I believe this initiative will play a significant role in improving living standards in the char areas of Fulchhari upazila, Gaibandha,” he added.
Gana Unnayan Kendra Chief Executive M Abdus Salam described the partnership as a model for climate resilience and sustainable economic development in Bangladesh’s char regions.
“We believe this integrated resilience model will contribute to long-term stability for marginalized communities through practical interventions in education, healthcare, environmental sustainability and disaster preparedness,” he said.
