Our comprehensive responses help families rebuild, recover, and prevail.
Today, more people than ever are in need of humanitarian assistance due to conflict and disaster. For nearly five decades, BRAC has supported communities in crisis. Whether human-made, a natural disaster, or a disease outbreak, BRAC rapidly meets basic needs, inspires resilience, and fosters self-sufficiency for those affected by crisis.
Our impact
Rohingya refugees served
children accessing play-based learning opportunities in refugee and host communities
masks distributed to prevent the spread of COVID-19
people reached with critical knowledge about COVID-19
BRAC is committed to standing with communities in crisis.
BRAC was founded as a small relief effort in the aftermath of a devastating war and cyclone that ravaged Bangladesh. We were built on the principle of standing with the most vulnerable in times of crisis, and remain committed to supporting communities affected by conflict, disease, and disaster.
Our approach
COVID-19 response
As countries worldwide combat the spread of COVID-19, BRAC is responding comprehensively to COVID-19 with public health interventions, humanitarian assistance to meet urgent needs, and socioeconomic rehabilitation and development programmes, enabling those most affected around the globe to navigate the pandemic and rebuild their lives. We are also prioritising the health and safety of our participants, clients, and staff by adapting our programmes in line with public health recommendations and government directives.
COVID-19 response
Rohingya refugee crisis
Since August 2017, more than 700,000 Rohingya people uprooted by violence and conflict in Myanmar have fled to Bangladesh in search of safety. BRAC is now the largest responder to the Rohingya refugee crisis, delivering lifesaving assistance and supporting refugees and host communities to build a better tomorrow. Our critical services for Rohingya families and host communities include food, water, shelter, sanitation, health care, education, protection, and more.
Rohingya refugee crisis
Extreme weather
As climate change escalates, communities in the Global South are disproportionately impacted. When extreme weather affects the places where we work, BRAC is positioned to respond quickly and comprehensively, working hand in hand with local communities. For example, when seasonal flooding, monsoon rains, and cyclones strike Bangladesh, BRAC responds rapidly with food aid, shelter, and cash support for impacted families.
Extreme weather
The indirect impact of Covid-19 in the Global South will be even greater than the direct impact. The direct impact, as tragic as it is, affects those infected and their families. The indirect impact has economic and social consequences for vastly more people — with jobs lost, families hungry, domestic violence up, more children leaving school, and costs over generations.”
Where we work
Afghanistan
Founded in 2002, Afghanistan was BRAC’s first country of operation outside of Bangladesh. We now reach communities across 14 provinces with a focus on services for girls and women, who are particularly vulnerable amid conflict.
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
BRAC was founded in Bangladesh in 1972 and remains headquartered in Dhaka today. Our first and largest country of operation, BRAC runs a comprehensive suite of programmes in nearly every corner of the country.
Bangladesh
Liberia
More than half of Liberia’s population lives below the poverty line, the largest proportion of any country where BRAC works. We launched operations in Liberia in 2008 with a goal of tackling the challenge holistically.
Liberia
Myanmar
BRAC launched programmes in Myanmar in 2013. With nearly 70% of Myanmar’s population unbanked, our work emphasises providing vulnerable communities with financial services.
Myanmar
Philippines
Although the Philippines is a middle-income country, a high proportion of children are excluded from education. Since 2012, BRAC has reached vulnerable children with quality education opportunities.
Philippines
Rwanda
As our newest country of work, BRAC launched operations in Rwanda in 2019. Our work in Rwanda currently centers around financial inclusion, with the goal of expanding our services in the future.
Rwanda
Sierra Leone
BRAC began its work in Sierra Leone in 2008. In a context with high rates of poverty and unemployment, particularly among youth, BRAC’s holistic portfolio of programmes work to support communities to lift themselves out of poverty.
Sierra Leone
South Sudan
Since 2006, BRAC has supported families in South Sudan with a variety of programmes. During a period of conflict and political turmoil, BRAC is committed to ensuring communities have services and support they need to build resilience.
South Sudan
Tanzania
Tanzania is one of Africa’s fastest growing economies, but widespread poverty still persists. BRAC launched its first financial inclusion programmes in Tanzania in 2006, and has since expanded its work across a variety of programmes to address poverty holistically.
Tanzania
Uganda
BRAC expanded to Uganda in 2006, and the country has quickly become home to our largest operation outside of Bangladesh. In a country with one of the youngest populations in the world, BRAC’s work across sectors emphasises reaching young people.
Uganda
Programme highlights
Responding to the Rohingya refugee crisis
BRAC has served communities in the Cox’s Bazar region of Bangladesh for nearly four decades and is now the largest responder to the Rohingya refugee crisis. Our lifesaving assistance empowers refugees and host communities to overcome the crisis, recover livelihoods, and rebuild their lives.
Our work in action
Creating safe learning environments in the world’s largest refugee camp
BRAC’s education programme brings more than 30 years of experience in providing educational opportunities to children of marginalised communities. In Cox’s Bazar, BRAC expanded access to safe learning opportunities for children and young people and improved teaching quality through professional development opportunities.
Related research
BRAC International rapid food and income security assessment
A series of rapid food and income security assessments conducted by BRAC across ten countries in Asia and Africa reveal that food and income security continues to decline amid COVID-19, particularly for low-income groups.
The Rohingya in Cox’s Bazar: When the stateless seek refuge
Researchers at BRAC and Harvard University conducted a rapid survey among families across the Rohingya and host communities in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. The survey unearthed important insights that have informed BRAC’s response, including a large number of female-headed Rohingya households, low rates vaccination rates among the Rohingya, and low levels of literacy and skills among the population.
Social cohesion, resilience, and peace-building between the host population and Rohingya refugee community in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh
Researchers at BRAC University consulted host community members including local government, community elders, religious leaders, representatives from educational and social institutions, and more to understand how to improve relationships between the Rohingya refugee and host communities.
