BRAC
Basic Informations
Founding Years (1972–1980)
BRAC, originally known as the ‘‘Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee’’, was founded in 1972 by Sir Fazle Hasan Abed in the wake of the Bangladesh Liberation War. The country desperately needed recovery, with widespread poverty, displacement, and a devastated infrastructure. The organization began its journey focusing on rehabilitation and relief efforts for war-affected populations, particularly in rural areas. Initially, BRAC operated as a small relief organization, providing food, shelter, and basic health services to those in need.
Early Development Programs (1980s)
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, BRAC shifted its focus from relief to development. Recognizing the systemic nature of poverty, BRAC introduced integrated development programs aimed at empowering the rural poor. One of the most significant initiatives during this period was the introduction of microfinance in 1974, which provided small loans to the poor, particularly women, enabling them to start small businesses and improve their livelihoods. This innovative approach became a cornerstone of BRAC's model and contributed significantly to women's empowerment in Bangladesh.
Expansion of Services (1980s–1990s)
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, BRAC expanded its programs to include education, health care, and social development. The organization launched its non-formal education program in 1985, which aimed to provide quality education to children who were out of school, especially in rural areas. This initiative has since educated millions of children and has been recognized globally as a successful model for education in developing countries.
BRAC also established health programs that focused on maternal and child health, nutrition, and disease prevention. The organization implemented community health initiatives, including the use of community health workers, to reach underserved populations with essential health services.
International Expansion (2000s)
In the early 2000s, BRAC began to extend its reach beyond Bangladesh, launching programs in several African and Asian countries. This international expansion was driven by the desire to replicate BRAC's successful model of development in different contexts. BRAC established operations in countries such as Afghanistan, Uganda, Tanzania, and Liberia, adapting its programs to meet local needs while maintaining its core principles of community engagement and empowerment.
Innovations and Technology (2010s)
As technology advanced, BRAC embraced digital solutions to enhance its programs. The organization began using mobile technology to improve access to financial services, health information, and educational resources. BRAC's commitment to innovation led to the development of various digital platforms, including mobile banking services that reached remote communities.
During this period, BRAC also focused on addressing emerging global challenges, such as climate change and public health crises. The organization implemented programs aimed at promoting climate resilience among vulnerable communities and adapting its health services to respond to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Current Status and Future Directions
Today, BRAC is recognized as one of the largest and most effective non-governmental development organizations in the world. It operates in multiple countries, with a diverse range of programs focused on education, health, social and economic development, and disaster response. BRAC continues to innovate and adapt its strategies to meet the evolving needs of communities, emphasizing sustainability, inclusivity, and resilience.
As BRAC moves forward, it remains committed to its mission of empowering the poor and marginalized, striving to create a world where everyone has the opportunity to realize their potential. The organization's history is a testament to its ability to evolve and respond to the challenges of poverty and inequality, making a lasting impact on millions of lives around the globe.
Address
BRAC Regional Office
Uttar Katia, Mill Bazar
Satkhira-9400
- Contact Name: A S K ASHRAFUL MASHRUD
- Contact Number: +880 1730 346761
- Email: bdc.satkhira@brac.net
Vision
A world free from all forms of exploitation and discrimination where everyone has the opportunity to realize their potential.
Mission
Our mission is to empower people and communities in situations of poverty, illiteracy, disease and social injustice. Our interventions aim to achieve large scale, positive changes through economic and social programmes that enable women and men to realize their potential.
Objectives
Our mission is to empower people and communities in situations of poverty, illiteracy, disease and social injustice. Our interventions aim to achieve large scale, positive changes through economic and social programmes that enable women and men to realize their potential.
Major Activities
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
1. Eliminating extreme poverty
2. Expanding financial choices
3. Humanitarian crisis management
4. Climate change and emergencies
5. Gender equality
6. Universal access to healthcare
7. Pro-poor urban development
8. Investing in the next generation
SOCIAL ENTERPRISES
1. Aarong
2. BRAC Dairy
3. BRAC Seed and Agro
4. BRAC Artificial Insemination
5. BRAC Nursery
6. BRAC Sericulture
7. BRAC Fisheries
8. BRAC Recycled Handmade Paper
9. BRAC Cild Storage
10. BRAC Printing Pack
INVESTMENTS
1. BRAC Bank
2. DELTA BRAC Housing
3. BRACNet
4. Guradian life Insuarance
5. IPDC Financial Limites
6. BRAC IT Services
7. BRAC Tea Estates
UNIVERSITY
1. BRAC University
Head Office
BRAC
BRAC Centre Inn , 75 Mokakhali, Dhaka-1212
Tel: 88 02 2222 81265
Email: info@brac.net
Project Office
BRAC Regional Office
Uttar Katia, Mill Bazar
Satkhira-9400
List of Excutive Body
- Asif Saleh (Executive Director BRAC)
- Shameran Abed (Executive Director BRAC International)
- Tamara Hasan Abed (Managing Director Enterprises, BRAC)
- Jerome Oberreit (Executive Director BRAC Global)
- Tushar Bhowmik (Chief Financial Officer BRAC)
- Saif Md Imran Siddique (Director, Finance BRAC International)
- Divya Bajpai (Executive Director BRAC Europe)
- Julia Roberts (President and CEO BRAC USA)
Chief of NGO
Name: Asif Saleh
Designation: Executive Director
Phone & Mobile No. 88 02 2222 81265 (N/A)
Staff Strength
| Staff category | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-level | 36 | 6 | 42 |
| Field Worker | 484 | 445 | 929 |
| Support Staff | 32 | 6 | 38 |
| Voluntaries | 1 | 70 | 71 |
Infrastructure facilities:
| Particulars | Total Number |
|---|---|
| Table | 435 |
| Chair | 553 |
| Motor Cycle | 167 |
| Computer | 47 |
| Laptop | 58 |
| Almery | 47 |
| Fan | 305 |
| Bicycle | 57 |
| Rack | 34 |
| Meeting Table | 43 |
Network / Forum
Micro credit related information Last three years: (If necessary)
| Financial year | Amount of Savings | Loan disbursement (Cumulative) | Amount of Total fund (Tk) |
|---|
Project List ( Total Project : 17 )
Project Name : Reading Glasses for Improved Livelihoods (RGIL) Phase-3
Doner : Vision Spring
Sector : Universal access to healthcare
Area : Satkhira Sadar, Kaligonj
Time Line : January 2022 to December 2025
Brief of activities :
VisionSpring and BRAC provided one million pairs of affordable eyeglasses to low-income customers, achieving major milestones both in scaling a social entrepreneurship model, and in expanding access to vision services in Bangladesh.
The Reading Glasses for Improved Livelihoods Programme, which began in 2006, has seen marked success, contributing to significant health and economic outcomes.
For low-income earners, eyeglasses are a simple, affordable tool that sustains productivity and earning power. Since the programme's start, it is estimated to have contributed to $110 million in increased income at the household level, based on an analysis of a study conducted by the University of Michigan. With a philanthropic investment of $3.50 per pair, the return on investment is significant.
Eyeglasses can prevent middle-aged workers from experiencing any drop in efficiency and productivity associated with the eye's natural aging. Without the ability to focus up close, mechanics, barbers, tailors, teachers, artisans, and many others whose work requires clear near vision, lose years of income earning potential.
BRAC and VisionSpring developed an innovative social entrepreneurship model to reach these low-wage earners, selling low-cost reading glasses through BRAC's network of community health workers (locally known as Shasthya Shebikas).
They offer free eye screenings, and have created a referral system for nearly 610,000 customers who need higher-level care for cataracts and other eye conditions.
Living in the communities where they work, the female health workers reach customers in the most remote areas of Bangladesh through vision camps and home visits, according to Marketwired.
Marketwired founded in 1993 and incorporated in the US in 1999, is a press release distribution service headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
For 90 per cent of customers, this is their first pair of glasses. The community health workers earn a modest commission from the sale of each pair of eyeglasses; since the programme's inception, they have earned a total of $450,000 in supplemental income.
"Partnerships are central to our success. Our collaboration with BRAC exemplifies the power of bringing together two organizations that share a common purpose and ethos and possess complementary core competencies. We feel honored and privileged to have found such a wonderful long term partner," Marketwired quoted VisionSpring Founder Jordan Kassalow in release on Sunday.
Meanwhile VisionSpring, BRAC, supporters, partners in the social enterprise, and global health community members gathered in the Bangladesh capital Dhaka on Sunday and celebrated the success of the partnership and honoured the health workers and programme organisers who had brought improved vision to people in 61 of 64 districts across Bangladesh.
Project Name : Rain for Life: Integrated Climate Adaptive Water and Agriculture Solutions for Community and Ecosystem Resilience in the Costal zone of Bangladesh
Doner : Royal Danish Embassy
Sector : Climate change and emergencies
Area : Assasuni
Time Line : January 2025- December 2027
Brief of activities :
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