Bangladesh Bank on Monday asked all commercial banks and financial institutions (FIs) to stand beside the poor people who are worst sufferers in the cold spell.

The central bank issued a circular asking the banks and FIs to immediately distribute warm clothes and blankets to cold-hit destitute across the country as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR).
The circular, which was sent to the chief executives of all the banks and FIs, said it was necessary to help the poor as a severe cold wave is sweeping the country.

The central bank circular also asked the banks to provide financial support for poor students as part of their CSR. 
BB governor Dr Atiur Rahman has urged the bankers to stand beside the cold stricken people, national news agency BSS says in a report.

 "Helping the cold affected poor people is a social responsibility of banks and financial institutions," Governor Dr Atiur Rahman said, adding that as these institutions do businesses with the money of the people, they must invest in social sector.

Atiur said cold spell is affecting life in different areas, including northern districts, southwestern region. People who are living in the areas surrounded by rivers, are worst suffers and banks and financial institutions should help these people, he added.

People of low-income group, especially farm workers, rickshaw pullers and those living under the open sky on roadsides or in makeshift houses have become the worst sufferers in the ongoing cold spell.

A mild cold spell with thick fog is affecting life life in different northern districts - Rajshahi, Natore, Pabna, Bogra, Dinajpur, Thakurgaon and Panchagarh - and southwestern region of the country over the last couple of days.

Meteorological Department saidtemperatures have dropped in Rajshahi division on Saturday after mild cold wave started drifting over Ishwardi, Jessore and Chuadanga.

The weather forecast for this month said one or two mild (ranging from 8 to 10 degrees Celsius) or moderate (6 to 8 degrees Celsius) cold waves will affect the country's north, north-eastern and central regions by the end of December.

Media reports say the people in the north are suffering cold-related maladies as the temperature keeps dropping every day.

The BB circular also ordered the banks to provide financial support for poor students as part of their corporate social responsibility.