A discussion meeting on the progress and future plans of PKSF’s IRMP project was held on 12 December 2024 at PKSF Bhaban. Presided over by PKSF Chairman Zakir Ahmed Khan, the meeting was attended by senior PKSF officials and a delegation from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The JICA representatives expressed their satisfaction over the implementation progress of the IRMP project.

In the meeting, the PKSF Chairman reaffirmed PKSF’s commitment to scaling up the IRMP project’s interventions. He emphasized on the importance of continuing financial and non-financial services to mitigate the financial risks faced by low-income people due to natural disasters. Additionally, he urged JICA to continue its technical support in enhancing the capacities of PKSF and its Partner Organizations (POs).

PKSF’s Managing Director Md Fazlul Kader, and other senior officials, along with Suzuka Sato-Sugawara, Senior Advisor for Governance and Peace Building at JICA Headquarters; Amada Kiyoshi, Special Advisor on Industrial Development and Private Partnership at the JICA Dhaka Office; and other members of the JICA Expert Team attended the meeting.

Earlier, on 8 December 2024, the JICA representatives inspected the field-level activities of the IRMP project at the Kutubdia branch of Coast Foundation, a PO of PKSF, in Cox’s Bazar. They exchanged views with beneficiaries who had received emergency cash support under the IRMP’s Surakkha Service. Subsequently, the JICA team participated in the 6th Learning & Dialogue (L&D) Workshop, attended by senior officials from PKSF and the project-implementing POs.

PKSF is implementing ‘The Project for Developing Inclusive Risk Mitigation Program for Sustainable Poverty Reduction (IRMP)’ through seven POs with technical support from JICA. The project aims to determine effective risk mitigation services and delivery mechanisms for low-income people while strengthening the capacity of service providers.