NCC Bank, GUK sign MoU for climate resilience
NCC Bank PLC has partnered with Gana Unnayan Kendra to launch a comprehensive initiative aimed at boosting climate resilience and advancing sustainable livelihoods in the char regions of Fulchhari upazila, Gaibandha.
As part of its corporate social responsibility, NCC Bank will fund a two-year programme—The Adaptive Eco Char Project: A Blueprint for Thriving Dynamic Landscapes.
The project will be implemented in the char areas of Fazlupur and Fulchhari unions of Fulchhari upazila.
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Cultivera Limited will serve as strategic partner, with Dahuk as research and evaluation partner.
The signing ceremony took place 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.
Also present 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; 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 Daahuk Founder and Director Md Magfi Reza Siddique, also attended the event.
The project seeks to build the adaptive capacity of char communities in response to climate change and to promote sustainable livelihoods.
Key project initiatives include establishing solar-powered Digital Resilience Centres for early disaster warning, digital services and training; providing telemedicine-enabled healthcare; installing safe drinking water systems and solar panels; promoting climate-resilient agriculture, homestead vegetable cultivation and livestock rearing; developing women's entrepreneurship; and strengthening community-based disaster management.
The initiative is expected to benefit thousands of families with access to safe water, renewable energy and healthcare.
More than 300 families will receive opportunities for income-generating activities.
It will also encourage women-led small enterprises and enhance local disaster preparedness and response.
NCC Bank Managing Director M Shamsul Arefin remarked that, as part of its corporate social responsibility, the bank has long invested not only in financial development but also in improving the quality of life for marginalised communities by supporting basic needs such as education and healthcare.
He added that the bank is now extending 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 said, "This partnership with NCC Bank will serve 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 marginalised communities through practical interventions in education, healthcare, environmental sustainability and disaster preparedness," he added.
