Brac helped 20 lakh people overcome extreme poverty

Brac has helped 20 lakh people from 4.49 lakh households overcome extreme poverty through its activities during the 2016-2022 period, according to its SDG Contribution Voluntary Report 2023.

Highlighting Brac's contributions to 15 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in line with the government's strategic direction, the report was launched through a ceremony at Brac Centre Inn in the capital yesterday with Planning Minister MA Mannan as the chief guest.

"Bringing around 20 lakh people out of extreme poverty, it's a huge support to the government…There's still a long journey ahead. There's no glory in poverty," said Mannan.

"We have the opportunity to take direct affirmative action through collaboration and ensure sustainable growth. A shift in the development approach is required," he said.

"Bangladesh is grappling with numerous concerns and issues, which makes prioritisation a necessity," said Brac Chairperson Hossain Zillur Rahman, while presiding over the event.

"Urban poverty is a new challenge for the country, we have to address it properly," he said.

He outlined three calls to action -- recognising the challenges, expanding collaboration and building for sustainability.

Of the beneficiaries targeted by Brac, some 96.7 percent overcome extreme poverty, said the report. These people constitute 18.4 percent of those listed under government books.

Brac also served over 35 lakh people with disabilities with one or more interventions and supported 157,896 households in hard-to-reach areas to enhance food and nutrition security during the period.

And through the use of climate-resilient production technologies, Brac also empowered 169,861 farmers to achieve a remarkable 13 percent increase in their crop productivity between 2016 and 2018.

It also provided antenatal care service to 1.2 crore pregnant women between 2016 and 2020 and 29 lakh between 2021 and 2022.