HSBC campaign to offer support to 0.1m Covid-hit people

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) in Bangladesh on Tuesday launched a corporate sustainability campaign to offer support to at least 100,000 people and beyond across the country whose lives have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Throughout the year, HSBC will continue such community initiatives under a broader platform of 'Joy of Giving'.
Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism (MoCAT), Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh and Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) have partnered with the global bank in this initiative.
HSBC also wants to encourage other corporates and donors to contribute to the wider community by partnering with HSBC using 'Joy of Giving' platform, said a statement.
MoCAT will assist in providing hygienically cooked food at cost price from selected restaurants under the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation; and Bangladesh Red Crescent Society will help distribute these meals to the most vulnerable and marginalised people throughout selected district towns in Bangladesh during the holy month of Ramadan and which will continue after Eid.
Hafiz Ahmed Mazumdar, MP, Chairman, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, Md. Atiqul Huq, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Bangladesh, Md Ahmed Jamal, Deputy Governor, Bangladesh Bank, Md. Mahbub ur Rahman, Chief Executive Officer, HSBC Bangladesh, Mostafa Kamal, Chairman, Meghna Group of Industries, Fazlur Rahman, Chairman, City Group, Ahsan Khan Chowdhury, Chairman, PRAN RFL Group and Md. Feroz Salah Uddin, Secretary General, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society also spoke and congratulated the HSBC initiative.
The launching event was also attended by HSBC Bank's customers, employees and invited media
Speaking on the partnership, Hafiz Ahmed Mazumdar, MP, Chairman, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society said, "The general holidays sparked by Covid-19 threatens millions of livelihoods in the country. Thanks HSBC to come forward with its 'Joy of Giving' platform in partnership with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism and Bangladesh Red Crescent Society to find the best way to help people survive this crisis."
A note from the Bangladesh Bank Governor Fazle Kabir was read out to the audience. Commenting on the initiative the Governor mentioned, "I truly appreciate HSBC's role in partnering with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism and Bangladesh Red Crescent Society in this unique effort to stand beside the most vulnerable segment of the community in the present situation impacted by COVID-19. This is an initiative that can be emulated by other financial institutions to support the marginalized community. My best wishes for this initiative and may the spirit of 'Joy of Giving' prevail in the society at all times."
Speaking on the campaign, Md. Mahbub ur Rahman, Chief Executive Officer, HSBC Bangladesh said, "Nothing feels more rewarding than being able to bring smile to peoples' faces. The purpose of these initiatives through our 'Joy of Giving' platform is to help our community at large and its people during the current challenging times. We will continue to support our communities, customers and our employees to keep hope alive. I want to thank the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism and Bangladesh Red Crescent Society for partnering with us in this initiative."
Globally, HSBC has introduced a number of special initiatives to support its customers across various markets. In addition, it announced a USD25 million COVID-19 donation fund to support the international medical response, protect vulnerable people and ensure food security around the world.