Healthcare made hassle-free: Micro health insurance

One big health scare could wipe out a chunk of a family’s savings. Micro health insurance is a way to safeguard people during medical emergencies.

Time for ground-up climate policy

This Earth Day begins with the largest study on perceived climate risks ever conducted in Bangladesh. Commemorating Hugh Brammer’s work in Bangladesh, findings from the study drive home the need for ground-up, evidence-based experience to inform climate policy. 

Living behind the ‘Made in Bangladesh’ label

It’s 4am, still half dark outside. Moyna Begum wakes up from the sound of water rushing from the tube well. Her first thought is how long that queue gets every morning. 10 families share one tube well and one hygiene facility. She rushes to the tube well with a bucket, to collect the water she will use for the rest of that day.

“We are not just dreaming of a better world – we are building it” Asif Saleh on BRAC’s 50th

The speech given by Asif Saleh, Executive Director of BRAC Bangladesh, at BRAC’s 50th anniversary celebrations on 21 March 2022.

Mobile money can be scary. How can we change that?

Mobile money has shown immense potential over the last decade, but remains a source of dread for many people living in poverty and inequality, particularly women. How can initiatives be designed to gain their trust?

Recapping 2021: Five highlights from BRAC International Microfinance

Despite the numerous challenges we faced in 2021, our financial institutions in all six countries have emerged stronger, more resilient, and ready for growth. It was possible due to the courage and commitment of BRAC staff members on the ground who stood by the people and the communities we serve.

An early focus on wellbeing pays off for a lifetime

Childrens’ wellbeing is connected to their learning, and their ability to nurture meaningful relationships in their early years. Children’s brains are extremely active in the early years, and the connections they make become the building blocks of their future. A good foundation makes a difference through adulthood.

Escaping poverty long term: Investing in the multidimensional needs of the next generation

Extreme poverty has many faces and varies in different contexts. The “official” definition of extreme poverty is stated in terms of income – living on less than $1.90 per day. But extreme poverty is about more than a lack of income.

Packed spaces. Pandemic. How to stay safe?

Eid-ul-Azha is one of the biggest religious festivals celebrated by millions across the globe. During this time, people living in affluence sacrifice various livestock and distribute the meat among people living in poverty. Cattle farmers and sellers in Bangladesh wait for this time to make their biggest sales of the year. Seasonal cattle markets, which have become an integral part of the celebrations, are set up all over the country. However, this year, maintaining social distancing in such large gatherings during the pandemic was challenging. Here’s what we learned in our efforts to keep people safe:

No alternative to community resilience against COVID-19: In conversation with Suzanne Mueller, Head of Cooperation/Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh

The Community Fort for Resisting COVID-19 project is a protracted effort to contain the virus within communities in Bangladesh, by equipping 81 million people across 35 high-risk districts with the tools and knowledge to keep themselves and their families safe. The project is implemented by a coalition of organisations who work at the community level. BRAC sat down with one of the partners, the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh:

‘New poor’: Ensuring inclusive growth amidst the new challenges of the pandemic

24 million people, or 14% of the population, have been newly pushed into poverty as a result of the pandemic in Bangladesh. Learn how BRAC has introduced new interventions to ensure that this group can restart their lives as the country emerges from lockdowns, and build resilience for future shocks.

Demonstrating the impact of client-centric microfinance

In the past two years, we have heard from over 5,000 clients across seven countries in 10 languages. Together with social performance management activities, these phone-based perception surveys are now part of our ongoing efforts to keep ourselves accountable to the impact bottom line. Read an excerpt from our Microfinance Impact Report: