NCC Bank funds char project to improve livelihoods in Gaibandha

NCC Bank PLC and Gana Unnayan Kendra (GUK) have entered into a partnership to drive climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods in the vulnerable char regions of Fulchhari Upazila, Gaibandha.

Under its corporate social responsibility programme, NCC Bank will finance a two-year project titled "The Adaptive Eco Char Project: A Blueprint for Thriving Dynamic Landscapes", to be implemented in the char areas of Fazlupur and Fulchhari unions.

Cultivera Limited will serve as the project's strategic partner, with Dahuk acting as the research and evaluation partner.

The MoU was signed recently at NCC 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 organisations.

The ceremony was attended by NCC Bank Additional Managing Director M Khurshed Alam; Deputy Managing Directors Md Zakir Anam, Mohammed Mizanur Rahman and Md Habibur Rahman; EVP and Head of Sustainable and Women's Banking Nighat Mumtaz; SVP and Head of Security and Logistics and Head of NCC Bank Foundation Khandaker Saiful Alam; Cultivera Limited Founder and Managing Director Faruque Ahmed; and Daahuk Founder and Director Md Magfi Reza Siddique.

The initiative seeks to bolster the adaptive capacity of char communities to climate change and ensure sustainable livelihoods.

Key interventions include establishing solar-powered Digital Resilience Centres for early disaster warnings, digital services and training; providing telemedicine-based healthcare; installing safe drinking water systems and solar panels; promoting climate-resilient agriculture, homestead vegetable cultivation and livestock rearing; fostering women's entrepreneurship; and enhancing community-based disaster management.

The project is expected to enable thousands of families to access safe water, renewable energy, and healthcare, while more than 300 families will benefit from new income-generating opportunities.

It will also support women-led enterprises and strengthen local disaster preparedness and response mechanisms.

NCC Bank Managing Director M Shamsul Arefin said, "As part of our corporate social responsibility, NCC Bank has a longstanding commitment to improving the quality of life for marginalised communities by supporting basic needs such as education, healthcare, and medical services. Continuing this tradition, the bank is now supporting the sustainable development of people living in char areas.

"The people of char regions live in highly vulnerable conditions and face severe impacts of climate change each year. In these areas, internet access, storage, modern agricultural practices, healthcare, and climate information are essential, not luxuries. This project will integrate these services into a practical model to help families protect their lives and livelihoods, access guidance, and achieve sustainable economic development. This initiative will play a significant role in improving living standards in the char areas of Fulchhari upazila, Gaibandha."

GUK Chief Executive M Abdus Salam said, "This partnership with NCC Bank will serve as an effective model for climate resilience and sustainable economic development in Bangladesh's char regions. We believe this integrated resilience model will promote long-term stability for marginalised communities through practical interventions in education, healthcare, environmental sustainability, and disaster preparedness."