Standard Chartered Bangladesh has announced a Tk 13.5 crore strategic action plan for 2021 to support healthcare and immediate assistance, restore livelihoods and catalyse long-term growth.

The new measures include immediate assistance through emergency food relief distribution for Covid-19 affected marginalised communities, healthcare support, medical equipment for healthcare facilities and frontline health workers, oxygen concentrators for patients, and treatment support for critically impacted patients.

The fund will also be used to raise awareness on the protection from Covid-19 and post-Covid-19 healthcare, generate jobs, and support entrepreneurs and education programmes.

In a press release, Naser Ezaz Bijoy, CEO of Standard Chartered Bangladesh, said, "While Bangladesh has been weathering the Covid-19 storm relatively well, with the risk of another wave imminent, we must remain vigilant."

"Helping our communities rise above Covid-19 remains as important as ever. This is why we are announcing another comprehensive, multi-pronged, Covid-19 response plan for the community, just as we did last year."

Bitopi Das Chowdhury, head of corporate affairs, brand and marketing of the bank, said the pandemic had reshaped lives permanently and would leave lasting impacts on all.