Photo: PID

DHAKA, July 21, 2026 (BSS) - World Food Programme (WFP) Country Director in Bangladesh Coco H. Ushiyama today met Women and Children Affairs and Social Welfare Minister Prof. Dr. A Z M Zahid Hossain at his office at the Secretariat here.

 Women and Children Affairs Secretary Yasmeen Parveen was present during the meeting.

They discussed social safety programmes, Family Card, food security, mid-day meals for primary school students, education, health, nutrition, climate change impacts and technical cooperation.

The minister thanked WFP for its continued support and said the government has started implementing the Family Card initiative, one of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's election pledges, from the first month after forming the government.

He said 41 lakh families will receive Family Cards in the current fiscal year.

He said the government is providing training and seed money to help poor people engage in income-generating activities and become entrepreneurs.

 Coco H. Ushiyama praised the Family Card initiative, particularly the decision to issue cards in the names of women, saying the approach is clear, timely and realistic.

She assured WFP's support for technical and experience sharing assistance for the programme.
 
She also informed the minister about WFP's welfare activities worldwide and highlighted its emergency relief support during the recent flood situation in Chattogram.