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A World
Bank study on “Human Security and Social Development” was
conducted in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Sri Lanka and Thailand. In Bangladesh,
BRAC programmes in the cyclone affected regions of the country were
chosen for the study. Dr.Takao Kikuchi and Dr M A Momin, Consultants
from IC-Net Consulting Firm visited the BRAC Head office and a Chittagong
area office in this regard. A discussion meeting on November 8, 2005
with senior officials of BRAC Health Programme (BHP), BRAC Education
Programme (BEP), Micro-finance and Public Affairs and Communications(PA&C)
department provided insight into the activities carried out in the cyclone-prone
areas of the country with major focus on the recovery process of the
affected. The session was attended by Mr. Faruque Ahmed, Director, BHP,
Mr. Shafiqul Islam, Programme Head, BEP, Mr. Shamsuzzaman Miah, Programme
Manager, Microfinance and Mr. Md Fariduzzaman Rana, Communications Officer,
PA&C.
The following day, the team visited Banshkhali
Area Office in Chittagong. Interactive session and Participatory Rural
Appraisal (PRA) techniques with the beneficiaries of BRAC micro-finance
and health programmes were carried out to widen the breadth of their
knowledge on BRAC activities towards the rehabilitation of the poor
in the cyclone affected areas. Observance of credit operation, income
generating projects by women, meeting with health volunteers and visit
to a BRAC Primary School underlined BRAC’s credit-plus approach
towards alleviation of poverty and empowerment of women. Mr Ajoy Kumar
Pal, Regional Health Coordinator, BRAC Regional Office, Chittagong accompanied
the team. |
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