The government begins nationwide household data collection today (Monday) under its Family Card programme, with mosques, temples, pagodas and churches set to help raise public awareness.

The Ministry of Social Welfare has asked the Ministry of Religious Affairs to coordinate the campaign through the Islamic Foundation and the Hindu, Buddhist and Christian Religious Welfare Trusts.

In a letter sent on 8 October, the ministry said data collection on local areas and households would begin simultaneously across the country from 12 October. The government has prepared the Family Card Thana Database Information Collection Guidelines, 2026 for the exercise.

Under the campaign, trained government personnel carrying official identity cards will visit households to collect information on families’ circumstances. The data will help identify households most in need of assistance, according to the campaign message.

The public has been urged to provide accurate information reflecting their actual socio-economic conditions.

Three-minute announcements before Friday prayers at mosques will urge people to cooperate with data collectors and warn them not to pay anyone claiming they can secure inclusion on the Family Card list. Providing information is free, the message states.

Two-minute announcements at temples, churches and Buddhist monasteries will also call for accurate information and urge people to check on elderly and disabled neighbours to ensure they are not excluded from the data collection process.

Anyone demanding money in connection with the exercise should be reported by calling 1098, the campaign message says.

Copies of the Social Welfare Ministry’s letter have been sent to the director general of the Islamic Foundation, the secretary of the Hindu Religious Welfare Trust and other relevant officials for necessary action.