Q1 - Ramadan Impact Fund
Impact Snapshot
Funding: $2,326
Timeline: Apr. 2024 - Jun. 2024
Beneficiaries: 580 people
Locations: Barishal | Narayanganj
SDG Alignment: SDG 2
$2,326 raised of $1,000 goal
Our Esteemed Donors
Mahir Ahmed, Mir Jamiur Rahman, Ajwad Rauf, Fahad Zaman, Taif Anjum, Sarah El Gharib, Nafisa Ashraf Chowdhury, Sara Ali, Issa Farooque, Shirley Zhang, Khan Obyoy Azad, Alvira Matin, Rameen Rashid, Syeda Adil, Syeda Shehzadi Habib, Niaz Uddin, Morgina Ahmed, Razia Nowshad
Impact Summary
The Ramadan Impact Fund was launched by BL during the month of Ramadan to provide support to families in Barishal and Narayanganj, Bangladesh. In Q1, running from April to May 2024, this initiative aimed to alleviate food insecurity by providing essential groceries and daily meals to low and middle-income families, as well as marginalized populations, during the month of Ramadan. The initiative also aimed to preserve cultural practices of supporting marginalized individuals, offering relief to those facing poverty, disability, and climate vulnerabilities through a carefully designed intervention. The initiative ran in two phases.
Phase 1: Ramadan Food Drive
The Ramadan Impact Fund was a focused effort to alleviate the challenges of food insecurity among economically vulnerable and the accessibility community in Narayanganj where economic hardship and natural disasters have left a significant impact. By providing daily sustenance to those struggling during Ramadan, the Ramadan Impact Fund supported the distribution of 135 bags of groceries, each valued at $12 CAD to approximately 300 beneficiaries from 135 families.
Phase 2: Emergency Cyclone Relief
As the Barishal cyclone struck during the same period, BacharLorai redirected its efforts to provide relief to affected families, leveraging its expertise and consultations on the ground. In partnership with Light to Life, Bangladesh, the Ramadan Impact Fund benefitted approximately 280 people, from 70 families in Barishal, where the average household size is four people. The relief efforts were vital in providing immediate support to these communities, addressing their urgent needs in the aftermath of the cyclone.
SDG Alignment
The initiative primarily aligns with the following SDG 2 & SDG 11 target:
2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.
2.2: Malnutrition: End all forms of malnutrition, including achieving targets on stunting and wasting in children under 5 years of age, and address the nutritional needs of adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women and older persons.
Context
Barishal, with a population of over 8 million, is often affected by annual flooding due to its location in the Ganges Delta. These floods not only disrupt the lives of thousands but also lead to crop failures, directly impacting the livelihoods of nearly 50% of the population who depend on agriculture.
In Narayanganj, a city with over 2 million residents, approximately 30% live below the national poverty line. Rapid urban growth has led to increased living costs, making it difficult for low-income families to afford basic necessities, including food.
During Ramadan, a time when food prices often increase, these challenges are compounded. For example, the cost of essential food items can rise by up to 15-20%, putting additional strain on already struggling households.
The Ramadan Impact Fund's goal in these regions is not just to provide temporary relief but to address a significant aspect of the struggle faced by these communities. By offering Iftar meals and food rations, the initiative aims to reach thousands of families, providing crucial support during this critical period.
To achieve this, the initiative requires targeted funding. For instance, a donation of $50 could provide a family with essential food supplies for a month, while $100 could sponsor Iftar meals for an extended family or a small community for several days.
In light of these facts, the Ramadan Impact Fund isn't just a charitable endeavor; it's a critical intervention in areas where food insecurity significantly affects the quality of life, especially during a time of religious and communal significance like Ramadan. The initiative, thus, presents an opportunity for donors to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in Barishal and Narayanganj.
Project Lead
Talha Khan, Co-Founder & Director of Signature Initiatives, BacharLorai
