BRAC on Monday said it aims to create employment opportunities for one million people across Bangladesh over the next five years, with a focus on inclusive development centred on women and youth.
The announcement came during the publication ceremony of BRAC’s Annual Report 2025 for the Chattogram Division, held at a city hotel.
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Mayor of Chattogram City Corporation Dr Shahadat Hossain attended the programme as the special guest.
According to BRAC, its development initiatives have reached one in every six residents in the Chattogram Division through programmes on health, education, financial inclusion, disaster and crisis response, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), climate resilience, migration and skills development.
Over the next five years, BRAC aims to create employment opportunities for one million people across Bangladesh.
The organisation will place special emphasis on inclusive development centred on women and youth, quality education, financial inclusion, primary healthcare, and strengthening climate resilience.
Currently, 15,984 staff members are implementing BRAC’s programmes across the Chattogram Division, of whom 37 percent are women.
The initiatives are being operated through 915 offices under social development programmes and 39 offices under social enterprises.
KAM Morshed, Senior Director of Advocacy, Communications and Engagement at BRAC, highlighted the organisation’s ongoing development initiatives in Chattogram Division, its five-year strategic priorities, and integrated development approaches.
Senior officials from the local administration and police administration, academics, political leaders, representatives of civil society, and media professionals attended the event and shared their views and recommendations.
When speaking, Mayor Dr Shahadat Hossain called upon BRAC to support the development of Chattogram as a sustainable city.
He said BRAC could contribute to the city corporation’s waste management initiatives.
He also mentioned that initiatives have been undertaken to develop playgrounds for adolescents and youth in order to protect them from social challenges such as juvenile gangs, drugs, and terrorism.
KAM Morshed said that more than 80 percent of BRAC’s activities are financed through its own resources, while donor support accounts for only 18 to 19 percent.
“This enables BRAC to independently undertake development initiatives based on the needs of the country and its people without requiring external approval or consultation,” he said.
He added that although BRAC’s presence has expanded globally, Bangladesh and its people remain the organisation’s top priority.
“BRAC was born in Bangladesh, and it belongs to Bangladesh,” he said.
He also noted that one of BRAC’s core philosophies is to unlock people’s immense potential and support them in moving forward.
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Chattogram, Pathan Md. Saiduzzaman (Education and ICT), said BRAC is the most organised institution working at the grassroots level after the government.
He recommended expanding BRAC’s skills development initiatives to build a skilled youth workforce.
Civil Surgeon of Chattogram, Dr Jahangir Alam, stated that non-communicable diseases account for 70 percent of deaths in the country.
He stressed the importance of health education among the general public and said BRAC could play a vital role in this area.
Additional Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Chattogram Division, Md Nazimul Haq, said NGOs have played a significant role in raising public awareness on health, education, and sanitation since the country’s independence. He urged BRAC and other NGOs to continue this contribution.
Divisional Commissioner of Chattogram, Dr. Md. Ziauddin, was also present at the event.
Other speakers included Dr. Sheikh Fazle Rabbi,Divisional Director of Health; Principal Muhammad Nurul Amin, Secretary of Chattogram Metropolitan Jamaat; Delwar Hossain Majumdar, President of Chattogram Conscious Citizens' Committee (SANAC); Public Prosecutor Mofizul Haque Bhuiyan; Woman Entrepreneur Sultana Jahan; Zahidul Karim Kachi, President of Chattogram Press Club; and Ifrat Ibrahim, Organising Secretary of NCP’s Chattogram Division, among others.
Anjuman Ara Begum, Senior Manager of BRAC’s Integrated Development Programme IDP), presented a summary of BRAC’s 2025 activities in the Chattogram Division.
The event highlighted that 8,507 ultra-poor families received financial assistance in the division, while 10,394 families successfully graduated out of extreme poverty.
A total of 9,464 people received climate resilience support, and 471 persons with disabilities were assisted.
Under BRAC’s microfinance programme, 2.77 million people received financial services. Among 1,413,965 members, 89.8 percent are women. In addition, 1,176 unemployed youth received training aimed at entrepreneurship development and employment generation.
Through community-based healthcare initiatives, 203,822 people received services. Besides, 13,666 pregnant women received complete antenatal care, and 7,213 safe deliveries were ensured. Eye examinations were conducted for 38,604 individuals, and 10,119 pairs of eyeglasses were distributed.
The programme also showcased BRAC’s activities over the past year in education and skills development, climate change and disaster resilience, gender equality, and social enterprises.