BRAC has said that nearly 26 million people across Bangladesh received services and support through its programmes in 2025, with women accounting for two-thirds of the direct beneficiaries.
The development organisation shared the information while publishing its 2025 Annual Report at a press meet held at BRAC Centre in Mohakhali on Monday, said a press release of BRAC.
According to the report, more than 19 million women and over 2,23,000 persons with disabilities received support through BRAC initiatives covering health, education, financial inclusion, disaster response, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), climate adaptation, migration and skills development.
Of the people reached directly by BRAC, two out of every three were women.
Support was provided across a wide range of sectors, including health, education, financial inclusion, disaster and crisis response, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), climate change adaptation, migration, and skills development.
Over the next five years, BRAC aims to create employment opportunities for 1 million people, support nearly 1.9 million students in overcoming learning loss, and further expand its ultra-poor graduation programme.
Asif Saleh, Executive Director at BRAC, presented key highlights from the report and responded to questions from journalists.
In his remarks, Asif Saleh outlined BRAC’s future strategic direction, stating that over the next five years, the organisation will operate based on five core principles. These include placing women and young people at the centre of its work, working as part of the community, reaching those at the very margins first, building national capacity in partnership with the government, and harnessing the full strength of the BRAC family across all of its initiatives.
Asif Saleh said that BRAC’s goal is to develop innovative solutions to address evolving social challenges and emerging needs.
He noted that through new initiatives in mental health, day-care services, skills development, and technology-enabled healthcare, BRAC will continue contributing to more integrated and sustainable development in the years ahead. He also said that BRAC is becoming increasingly self-reliant through a combination of its microfinance programme, social enterprises, and limited donor support.
He also said that BRAC has reaffirmed its commitment to working as a self-sustaining, accountable, and forward-looking development organisation under its next five-year strategic plan. The new plan will prioritise women, young people, and the most marginalised communities, while expanding work on employment, education, healthcare, financial inclusion, agriculture, and climate resilience.
In his welcome remarks, KAM Morshed, Senior Director (Advocacy, Communications and Engagement) at BRAC, said that accountability to the people of the country is not merely a slogan for BRAC, but a practice deeply embedded in its work. He noted that during COVID-19, floods, and other natural and human-induced disasters, as well as in moments of national opportunity, BRAC has consistently stood beside communities with commitment and responsiveness. Although BRAC’s presence extends across the globe, he added, people and their participation remain at the heart of its work.
AFM Shahidur Rahman, Director (MEAL, Risk Management, Safeguarding and Social Compliance), presented a summary of the annual report. Senior journalists and senior leadership from BRAC were also present at the event.
Among those who shared their views at the event were Sajjad Sharif, Executive Editor of Prothom Alo; Ayesha Kabir, Head of Prothom Alo English Web; Zahid Newaz Khan, Chief Executive Editor of Channel i; Shahed Mohammad Ali, Editor of Samakal; Reaz Ahmad, Editor of Dhaka Tribune; and Julhas Alam, Bureau Chief of Associated Press (AP).