BRAC

BRAC

BRAC, originally known as the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee, is one of the largest non-governmental development organizations in the world. Founded in 1972 by Sir Fazle Hasan Abed in Bangladesh, BRAC has grown to become a global leader in creating opportunities for the world's poor.

History

BRAC was established in the aftermath of the Bangladesh Liberation War to assist refugees returning to their homes. Initially, it focused on relief and rehabilitation, but soon expanded its scope to include long-term development programs aimed at poverty alleviation and empowerment of the poor.

Mission and Vision

BRAC's mission is to empower people and communities in situations of poverty, illiteracy, disease, and social injustice. Its vision is a world free from all forms of exploitation and discrimination where everyone has the opportunity to realize their potential.

Programs

BRAC operates a wide range of programs across various sectors:

• Education: BRAC runs one of the largest secular, private education systems in the world, providing primary education to millions of children, especially girls, in rural and urban areas.

• Health: BRAC's health programs focus on maternal and child health, infectious diseases, and nutrition. It employs community health workers to deliver essential health services to underserved populations.

• Microfinance: BRAC provides financial services to the poor, including microloans, savings, and insurance, to help them build sustainable livelihoods.

• Social Enterprises: BRAC operates several social enterprises, such as Aarong, a retail chain that supports artisans, and BRAC Dairy, which provides income opportunities for rural farmers.

• Agriculture and Food Security: BRAC works to improve agricultural productivity and food security through research, training, and support for farmers.

Global Presence

BRAC has expanded its operations beyond Bangladesh and now works in several countries across Asia, Africa, and the Americas. It adapts its programs to local contexts while maintaining its core mission of poverty alleviation.

Impact

BRAC's integrated approach to development has been widely recognized for its effectiveness. It has been instrumental in improving health outcomes, increasing educational attainment, and reducing poverty in the communities it serves.

Also see

• Microfinance
• Non-governmental organization
• Poverty alleviation
• Social enterprise
• Bangladesh

This NGO-related article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it.