DHAKA, BANGLADESH — In a major step toward localizing humanitarian aid and disaster management, the NGO-MFI Resourced Pooled Fund was officially launched during a ceremony at a hotel on Minto Road on Monday night. This innovative fund marks the first time that national Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) in Bangladesh have combined their financial resources to create a sustainable, self-managed emergency response system.
A New Era for Localized Funding
The fund is an initiative of Start Fund Bangladesh, a coalition of 40 NGOs (comprising 22 local and 18 international organizations). According to a press release from the Start Fund Bangladesh Hub, the pooled fund aims to leverage the extensive networks and financial capacity of national NGO-MFIs to provide rapid, predictable, and locally-led financing during humanitarian crises.
Key objectives of the fund include:
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Rapid Response: Ensuring immediate financial liquidity for disaster-affected areas.
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Predictive Action: Strengthening “forecast-based” interventions to mitigate risks before a disaster strikes.
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Resilience Building: Enhancing the long-term survival and recovery capabilities of marginalized communities.
Political and Institutional Support
The event was graced by Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the Minister for Local Government, Rural Development (LGRD) and Cooperatives, and Secretary General of the BNP, who attended as the Chief Guest. In his address, he lauded the initiative as a “significant milestone” for the country’s development.
“Utilizing the collective strength and resources of national NGOs and microfinance institutions will be a critical asset during the nation’s times of peril,” Minister Mirza Fakhrul stated.
The launch also saw participation from high-level officials, including:
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Zakir Ahmed Khan, Chairman of Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF).
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Professor Dr. Md. Helal Uddin, Executive Vice Chairman of the Microcredit Regulatory Authority (MRA).
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Md. Saidur Rahman Khan, Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief.
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Md. Zakaria, Director General (Secretary) of the NGO Affairs Bureau.
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Matilda Svensson, First Secretary of the Embassy of Sweden in Bangladesh.
Founding Partners
Several prominent national organizations are among the founding participants of the fund, including the Eco-Social Development Organization (ESDO), National Development Programme (NDP), POPI, and the SKS Foundation.
By shifting the decision-making and funding power to the local level, the NGO-MFI Resourced Pooled Fund aims to reduce dependency on international aid cycles and ensure that those closest to the disaster are the first to respond with the necessary resources.
