Donations aimed at supporting children in Bangladesh will become easier and more accessible following a new partnership between UNICEF and the nation’s largest mobile‑financial services provider.
UNICEF said on Wednesday that it has entered into a partnership with bKash to streamline the process of making donations to its children’s programmes in Bangladesh. The collaboration is intended to make contributions easier for donors supporting UNICEF’s initiatives for children across the country.
The partnership is projected to broaden UNICEF’s fundraising efforts, allowing a larger pool of donors to contribute through bKash.
“Our collaboration with bKash, a trusted and widely used digital platform, enables UNICEF to connect with people and communities across Bangladesh through a simple, secure and accessible way to support children,” said Carla Haddad Mardini, UNICEF’s Global Director of Private Fundraising and Partnerships.
“We are pleased to see this partnership come to fruition as part of UNICEF’s ongoing efforts to expand funding opportunities and mobilize durable support for children,” she said. “Children are at the heart of Bangladesh’s future, and through this initiative, we can reach more of them with the services they need to survive, learn, and thrive. Every contribution, no matter the size, can help create lasting change in a child’s life and open the door to a brighter future.”
The agreement enables bKash customers to make direct contributions to UNICEF through the bKash mobile application by selecting the “Donations” option and then choosing UNICEF.
Contributions may also be submitted via bKash’s offline merchant network, expanding the opportunity for broader participation in UNICEF’s mission to improve children’s lives.
Kamal Quadir, chief executive officer of mobile‑financial service provider bKash, said: “At bKash, we are focused on creating impactful opportunities for community advancement. Having built the country's first digital donation platform, bKash empowers users to make informed decisions when contributing to meaningful causes. This partnership with UNICEF will bring strong momentum to fundraising initiatives aimed at building a brighter future for children.”
The agreement was signed in Dhaka last year, in the presence of Carla Haddad Mardini, UNICEF’s Global Director of Private Fundraising and Partnerships, and Kamal Quadir, chief executive officer of bKash.
Under the partnership, UNICEF will maintain a permanent presence in the donation section of the bKash app, expanding opportunities for spontaneous contributions and supporting future awareness and fundraising initiatives.
All proceeds from the initiative will be directed solely to UNICEF’s programmes for children in Bangladesh, encompassing measures to ensure quality education and essential health care, safeguard children against violence and exploitation, and deliver life‑saving aid in emergencies.
Each contribution will directly fund initiatives intended to help children grow in safe, healthy environments and maintain a sense of hope.
Why it matters
The partnership expands UNICEF's fundraising capabilities by leveraging bKash's extensive digital and offline network in Bangladesh.