July Foundation Faces Financial Strain Amid Funding Shortfall

The July Shaheed Smrity Foundation (JSSF), set up to support the families of those killed and injured during the July uprising, is grappling with a severe financial crisis, with officials citing inadequate government support, poor coordination with state agencies and internal challenges.

Formed during the interim government's tenure, the foundation has been providing financial aid, medical treatment and rehabilitation services to the families of martyrs and injured victims of the uprising.

On September 17, 2024, then Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus contributed Tk100 crore from the Chief Adviser’s Relief and Welfare Fund. The foundation also received Tk5 crore each from Bangladesh Bank and an anonymous donor, along with public donations, raising its initial fund to around Tk120 crore.

Foundation officials said these funds have been used to assist the families of 822 martyrs and 6,127 injured individuals, with a significant portion spent on complex medical procedures, including eye, limb and nerve surgeries.

However, the organisation estimates it still requires an additional Tk280 crore to extend support to 8,243 eligible beneficiaries.

Mohammad Sohel Miah, the foundation’s general manager (HR and administration), said it is now struggling to cover even its basic operational costs.

“We have been unable to pay the rent for our office for the past year. Although land was allocated for a permanent office during the interim government, we do not have the funds to construct the building,” he said.

The foundation pays approximately Tk1.5 lakh in monthly rent for its Shahbagh office and spends nearly Tk4 crore annually on administrative expenses, including salaries, office maintenance, transport and other operational costs.

Sohel added that staff salaries have remained unpaid for the past six months. The organisation’s 38 employees last received their salaries in March for the month of February.

Foundation General Secretary Shamsi Ara Zaman attributed the crisis to what she described as the government's lack of support.

“We have sought financial assistance from every possible source but returned empty-handed. We have not seen any sincerity from the government,” she said.

She also alleged that despite obtaining appointments, foundation representatives were not granted meetings with the relevant minister. According to her, although the government had verbally indicated that funds would be allocated in the FY27 national budget, no formal allocation has yet been made.

Responding to the allegations, Md Zahirul Islam, deputy secretary of the July Uprising Cell, said the ministry had no direct coordination with the foundation, noting that the two entities function independently.

Chief Executive Officer Lt Col (retd) Kamal Akbar said the foundation required Tk337 crore in FY25 to support the families of those killed and injured but received only Tk120 crore through government grants and donations.

He said the organisation repeatedly requested additional funding from the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, seeking Tk238.2 crore in both February and March.

According to the ministry’s response, the funds allocated for July victims in the FY26 budget were insufficient to cover even the ministry’s own funding shortfall of around Tk100 crore, leaving no room to provide financial assistance to the foundation.

The financial constraints have also put on hold plans to establish a vocational training centre in Purbachal aimed at helping injured victims become self-reliant.

Meanwhile, many eligible beneficiaries are still awaiting support. Ehsan Chowdhury, a Category C gazetted injured victim from Feni, said he applied for Tk1 lakh in financial assistance through the district civil surgeon’s office but has yet to receive the funds.