EFFECTS OF LOCKDOWN ON MICROCREDIT PROGRAMMES AND ITS BORROWERS LIVELIHOOD CONDITION DUE TO COVID-19 ON SOME SELECTED NGO-MFIS IN BANGLADESH

A new type of life threaten virus namely COVID-19 spread out all over the world at the end of 2019 and it is continuing until now. Government of many countries were forced to declare state of emergency like lockdown to maintain social distance from each other as the virus was infectious and still there is no vaccination or medication innovated to protect it. Bangladesh Government was also declared lockdown for more than two months started from end of March to end of May in the year 2020. All types of communication and economic activities were stopped during the lockdown time. Like many other sector microfinance sector and its beneficiaries were also suffered a lot. Through this study it has been revealed that during lockdown period microfinance programme affected and the livelihood situation of its beneficiaries were also affected severely. Based on the findings, some recommendations have been made for further strengthening of microfinance programmes and improvement of livelihood situation of its beneficiaries.