Journey of Social Safety Net (SSN) beneficiaries during the COVID-19 pandemic period

Bangladesh reduces poverty and vulnerability through its Social Safety Net (SSN) programs using cash assistance. These programs support the elderly, widows, persons with disabilities, women, and men of working age with temporary employment. The programs also support young mothers and children. Before digitizing the SSN payments, most beneficiaries had to wait long queues and travel long distances to receive the payments. During COVID-19, many were worried about how they would receive their payments. Then, in the fiscal year 2020-2021, the Bangladesh government introduced a digital intervention through MFS, which supported 25 million beneficiaries. This initiative also ensured that the beneficiaries had financial freedom and easy access in rural areas of Bangladesh.