BRAC
Basic Informations
Known formerly as the Bangladesh Rehabilitation Assistance Committee, then as the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee, and later as Building Resources Across Communities, BRAC was initiated in 1972 by Sir Fazlé Hasan Abed at Shallah Upazillah in the district of Sunamganj as a small-scale relief and rehabilitation project to help returning war refugees after the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971. 14 thousand homes had to be rebuilt as part of the relief effort, as well as several hundred fishing boats; BRAC claims to have done this within nine months, as well as opening medical centres and providing other essential services.
Until the mid-1970s, BRAC concentrated on community development through village development programmes that included agriculture, fisheries, cooperatives, rural crafts, adult literacy, health and family planning, vocational training for women and construction of community centres. A Research and Evaluation Division (RED) was set up to evaluate its activities and decide direction, and in 1977, BRAC began taking a more targeted approach by creating Village Organisations (VO) to assist the landless, small farmers, artisans, and vulnerable women. That same year BRAC set up a commercial printing press to help finance its activities. The handicraft retail chain called Aarong, was established the following year.
In 1979, BRAC entered the health field by establishing a nationwide Oral Therapy Extension Programme (OTEP), a campaign to combat diarrhoea, the leading cause of the high child mortality rate in Bangladesh.Non Formal Primary Education was started by BRAC in 1985.
In 1986, BRAC started its Rural Development Programme that incorporated four major activities – institution building including functional education and training, credit operation, income and employment generation and support service programmes.
In 1991, the Women's Health Development program commenced. The following year BRAC established a Centre for Development Management (CDM) in Rajendrapur.
Its Social Development, Human Rights and Legal Services programme was launched in 1996.
In 1998, BRAC's Dairy and Food project was commissioned. BRAC launched an Information Technology Institute the following year. In 2001, BRAC established a university called BRAC University
Address
BRAC Regional Office
Uttar Katia, Mill Bazar
Satkhira-9400
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
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 : 16 )
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 :
Project Name : Increasing Water Security and Resilience of Low _ Income Climate Affected Communities in Satkhira Municipality
Doner : KFW Development Bank, Germany
Sector : Pro-poor urban development
Area : Satkhira Municipality
Time Line : Sep, 2022 to Aug, 2025
Brief of activities :
This document outlines the key activities undertaken by BRAC to enhance water security and resilience among low-income communities in Satkhira Municipality, which is significantly affected by climate change. The initiatives focus on sustainable water management, community engagement, and capacity building to ensure that vulnerable populations can adapt to the challenges posed by climate variability and water scarcity.
Key Activities:
1. Community Awareness and Education
BRAC conducts awareness campaigns to educate community members about the importance of water conservation and the impacts of climate change. Workshops and training sessions are organized to inform residents about sustainable practices, such as rainwater harvesting and efficient irrigation techniques.
2. Installation of Water Harvesting Systems
To combat water scarcity, BRAC has facilitated the installation of rainwater harvesting systems in households and community centers. These systems collect and store rainwater, providing a reliable source of water during dry periods and reducing dependence on groundwater.
3. Salinity Mitigation Initiatives
Recognizing the threat of salinity intrusion in the region, BRAC has implemented initiatives to improve soil and water quality. This includes the promotion of salt-resistant crop varieties and the establishment of community-based saline water management practices.
4. Capacity Building for Local Institutions
BRAC works closely with local government bodies and community organizations to strengthen their capacity in water resource management. Training programs are designed to enhance the skills of local leaders and stakeholders in planning and implementing water security projects.
5. Development of Climate-Resilient Infrastructure
BRAC invests in the development of infrastructure that can withstand climate impacts. This includes the construction of embankments, drainage systems, and flood control measures to protect communities from flooding and waterlogging.
6. Promotion of Sustainable Agricultural Practices
To ensure food security in the face of climate change, BRAC promotes sustainable agricultural practices among farmers. This includes training on organic farming, crop rotation, and integrated pest management to enhance productivity while conserving water resources.
7. Monitoring and Evaluation
BRAC continuously monitors and evaluates the impact of its water security initiatives. Feedback from the community is gathered to assess the effectiveness of programs and make necessary adjustments to improve outcomes.
Conclusion:
Through these key activities, BRAC is making significant strides in increasing water security and resilience among low-income communities in Satkhira Municipality. By focusing on sustainable practices, community engagement, and capacity building, BRAC aims to empower vulnerable populations to adapt to the challenges posed by climate change and ensure a more secure water future.
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