Stanbic Bank Uganda has given organisations and health partners 1,000 prepaid cards to facilitate cashless payments for frontline staff and other essential workers.
This is another of the bank’s contribution to the fight against the COVID-19 spread by eliminating the usage of cash, one way through which the virus can be transmitted.
Speaking during the handover ceremony at Plan International, Stanbic Bank Uganda Head of Personal Markets, Israel Arinaitwe, said, “As a bank, we are committed to growth and development of Uganda, and it’s in the same spirit that we are supporting Ministry of Health efforts with prepaid cards which they can use to facilitate their work countrywide with allowances and stipends.”
He added, “We found it prudent to donate 1,000 Visa Prepaid cards to the organisations who are helping combat COVID-19 to aid cash disbursements/facilitation to our frontline heroes (health works and all support staff) who continue to tirelessly fight the COVID-19 pandemic countrywide ensuring the safety of all Ugandans.”
The cards were issued to the supporting organisations including Plan international, Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI), Infectious Disease institute (IDI), Infectious Disease Research collaboration (IDRC) and African Initiatives for Relief and Development (AIRD).
Speaking after receiving the prepaid cards, Plan International Head of programmes Greg Lavendar said, “We have a long history of good collaboration with Stanbic Bank and we are happy with the prepaid cards they have provided to us today. This cards will go a long will way to enable our work in the field particularly our refugee response programmes.
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Stanbic Bank Uganda’s Head of Cards and acquisition, Paul Tamale, speaking during the handover of cards to AIRD, said, “The prepaid cards will help the organisations to account for the funds sent out to the staff because every transaction can be tracked. Above all it will help them send their staff money in real time.”
African Initiatives for Relief and Development (AIRD) Country Programme Director Abraham V, Konneh while speaking after receiving the prepaid cards said, “We are very grateful to Stanbic Bank for this innovative solution which will go a long way in supporting our work in the field. The prepaid cards are going to benefit our colleagues in the field and help us send their daily subsistence allowance (DSA) on time. We have so far piloted the cards with 200 staff that are currently in the field. We hope to increase the number of cards to cover all our 500 staff members in the field.
Arinaitwe said Stanbic Bank has waived off card issuance fees and encouraged all customers without debit cards to obtain one at no cost to promote the safety of the Bank’s customers. “This is aimed at helping our customers to replace cash that can easily transmit the Covid-19 virus through its hand to hand form of payment. Payments by means of Visa cards are cashless, safe, secure and much more convenient,” he explained.
Stanbic Bank also instituted various safety measures to protect staff and customers and also donated to government through the Ministry of health several items including protective gear.
