BRAC-ing Barriers to Development

The following was originally posted on the Kravis Prize blog. BRAC’s founder, Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, won the Kravis prize in 2007.

It’s evident in their work that Kravis Prize winners are making great strides towards achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. One example is BRAC, which offers programs around the world that span topics from microfinance to girls’ education and health care. BRAC USA CEO Susan Davis recently was featured on ABC News and discussed BRAC’s involvement in the Million Moms Challenge, which aims to reduce child mortality and improve maternal health:

“Things have really improved. Just look at the number of deaths that have happened from women dying from childbirth. We’ve been able to almost halve it to 12,000 a year to 7,300. … So in terms of setting a goal for the year 2015 that the whole world is striving to achieve, we’ve gotten there, at least in these few areas. And I think for Bangladesh, we’re on track to get there and that is dramatic.”

She also discussed BRAC’s strategy to implement change:

“BRAC has figured out a way to prevent the leading causes of death during childbirth. The solutions aren’t particularly high-tech or don’t often require advanced medical degrees. They only require that we work directly with the poor, within their communities, and trust them to do the things that are needed, with a small amount of proper training, to take care of their neighbors.”

To read more of what Davis has to say, click here for her op-ed and a brief video.

To find out more about 2007 Kravis Prize winner and BRAC Founder Sir Fazle Abed, go to our page.