Bangladeshi cricket star and current captain Tamim Iqbal has been appointed National Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Bangladesh.
“I am honoured to be named National Goodwill Ambassador for WFP - the United Nations agency that fights hunger worldwide, including my own country Bangladesh,” Tamim Iqbal said in a statement issued by the WFP.
“While Bangladesh has made impressive economic growth in the recent years, poverty is still rampant, especially in rural parts of the country. For many, the current COVID-19 crisis is making their lives much more challenging. I hope to do my part to help WFP fight hunger and restore hope for families and communities that need our support.”
As the first Bangladeshi to score 10,000 international runs, Tamim Iqbal is one of Bangladesh's most beloved batsmen, opening regularly for the team.
While working as the National Goodwill Ambassador, Tamim will have the opportunity to see first-hand how WFP, in support of the government, is working to reach ‘Zero Hunger’.
Tamim will raise awareness about WFP programmes in Bangladesh which cover 64 districts across the country through its school feeding, nutrition, livelihoods, and refugee operations in Cox’s Bazar.
“As an accomplished athlete, beloved by many both inside and outside Bangladesh, Tamim brings with him not only his popularity and reach, but his incredible work ethic, compassion and humanitarian spirit,” said Richard Ragan, Country Representative and Director for WFP Bangladesh.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to have him joining our WFP family.”
WFP has been working in Bangladesh since 1974 and has helped more than 155 million vulnerable and food-insecure people.
In 2019, WFP provided assisted more than 1.7 million people in Bangladesh.
