CSR Window Bangladesh takes commendable steps to battle the coronavirus pandemic

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Window Bangladesh started their journey in 2018. Founded by Shadman Sakib Anik and Ahsan Rony, CRS Window Bangladesh mainly works with underprivileged communities. The organisation initially served as a skill donation platform that facilitated educational sessions to help individuals learn and enhance their skill set. Four projects by this organisation, established to cater to the needs of people in the coronavirus pandemic, are currently underway.

Through Pashe Achi, they have distributed food to people in need.

Their Kindness campaign, initiated in March, has successfully conducted awareness-based workshops. Emphasising on the importance of maintaining social distance, they also installed posters in over 1200 shops and pharmacies across the country, especially in the rural areas.  In collaboration with Epyllion Group, Global Shapers - Dhaka Hub, Control Union Bangladesh and ActionAid Bangladesh, the organisation has been working closely with people through Kindness Ambassadors. They are also providing regular announcements and updates in this regard.

Their project Shomporko, initiated in partnership with IDLC Finance Limited, aims at providing food and necessary supplies to low income families in rural areas. This initiative also gave way to building a database for future use, containing records of around 12,000 people who have already received the aid.

Through their awareness-based initiative Shuddhota, organised in association with WaterAid and Control Union, Bangladesh, they helped install hand washing stations, which are made with materials that cannot be damaged or stolen. These stations, along with social distance markers and posters, are being set up in large bazaars, some of which still host over 8,000 visitors regularly. Their on-field Ambassadors are constantly urging people to maintain social distance and wash their hands, while visiting such crowded places.

Pregnant and lactating women are at high risk in this pandemic, particularly in low-income households. Achol, a project aided by Arla and Dano Mom, aims to provide a month's nutrition to 8,000 mothers across 24 districts of the country. A database has also been created in this regard to help them with such facilities on a regular basis.

Their fourth project Pashe Achi, is a food sharing initiative based in Dhaka. It was initially designed for individuals who are keen to help others in this time of crisis, but were not willing to risk their own safety by going out. Pashe Achi asked such individuals to cook and pack food for at least 10 people. The packets were collected and distributed to the ones who need them. In the first couple of active weeks, the Kindness ambassadors received over a thousand food packets, which were distributed properly.  So far, they have provided food to more than 13,000 people in the span of 24 days. "In light of this feat, we intend to expand our effort to stand beside more people every day," said Sultana Razia, Lead Coordinator, Pashe Achi. The team looks forward to keeping their initiatives active.