A new financial initiative titled the ‘NGO-Microfinance Institution (MFI) Resourced Pooled Fund’ has been officially launched in Bangladesh to revolutionize locally led humanitarian efforts and ensure disaster response remains sustainable and integrated.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir inaugurated the fund as the chief guest during a national ceremony held at a city hotel on Tuesday.

In his address, the Minister emphasized that for a disaster-prone nation like Bangladesh, public-private partnerships are essential for delivering rapid and effective humanitarian aid to those in need.

The Minister expressed his optimism regarding the initiative, stating that the fund will play a pivotal role in strengthening the disaster response capabilities of marginalized communities while accelerating emergency assistance nationwide.

He further noted that by leveraging the grassroots engagement, institutional capacity, and extensive experience of local NGOs and MFIs, this joint fund represents a "new horizon" in the management of humanitarian aid.

Minister Alamgir called upon all relevant organizations and institutions to maintain a high level of coordination to ensure the successful implementation of the program.

The launching ceremony was attended by high-level representatives from international organizations, development partners, non-governmental organizations, and microfinance institutions.