By Arju Afrin Kathy

The Social Allowance Cluster, coordinated by the Ministry of Social Welfare (MoSW), represents a central pillar of Bangladesh’s lifecycle-oriented social protection system under the National Social Security Strategy (NSSS). The cluster consolidates multiple programs to reduce duplication, improve efficiency, and ensure targeted support for vulnerable populations, including the elderly, widows, persons with disabilities, children, and mothers. Integration with other social protection clusters, such as Human Development and Labour & Livelihoods, enables coordinated referrals, seamless implementation, and coverage that spans the entire life cycle.