She stated that President Bush has asked the entire US Government, both civilian and the military to try to help as much as possible and assist in the next few days and weeks. She assured that the US Government will look at immediate needs as well as medium term and long term needs in Bangladesh such as schools, roads, embankments and rural electrification. She lauded the people of Bangladesh for the prevention efforts that have taken place in the intervening years which has resulted in far less loss of lives compared to the cyclone of 1991.

Administrator Fore also said that a cyclone of this proportion is always a serious challenge for any government anywhere in the world.  There are immediate needs, there will be medium term needs but everyone should think of this as a long-term joint effort. 

USAID Partner receives AGFUND International Prize 2007

October 9, 2007

On September 22, Rights  Jessore, one of the local partners of USAID was awarded with the AGFUND (Arab Gulf Program for  United Nations Development  Organizations) International Prize for Pioneering Development Project,  2007 for introducing an effective  model for the prevention and  protection of the trafficking victims  and successfully implementing the project.

The USAID funded project  implemented the "Community Mobilization to Combat Trafficking-CMCT project in three southwestern districts of Bangladesh. The main objective of the project was to reduce the incidences of human trafficking through community mobilization. The project formed Counter Trafficking Women Forum (CTWF) consisting of 15 female members which included members from the local government, teachers, college students, social workers and housewives. The forum organized and conducted a number of mass awareness raising program at their working areas. The project also launched a Hotline Mobile Service (24 hours) to establish social safety net to reduce human trafficking.

From 2001-2007, the Academy for Educational Development (AED) implemented a USAID-funded project titled "Bangladesh Human Rights Advocacy Program- BHRAP".  The project addressed four main human rights areas of trafficking in persons, violence against women, access to justice and child rights.  In partnership with 16 local NGOs, AED carried out several activities including human rights advocacy, civic education, community mobilization and service provision to protect survivors of human rights violations.

National Interfaith Dialogue to Sensitize Interfaith Leaders on HIV Prevention

October 9, 2007

With support from the USAID Bangladesh AIDS Program (BAP), the Masjid Council for Community Advancement (MACCA), a local faith-based organization organized a National Interfaith Dialogue in September 10 with the objective to sensitize interfaith leaders on HIV prevention.

Approximately 100 religious leaders of four different faiths (Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian) along with the development partners exchanged their views on the prevention of HIV and AIDS. The local development organizations discussed specific cases of HIV/AIDS and sought religious clarification from eminent religious leaders on sensitive issues such as people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA), Prostitution and Injection Drug User (IDU) and HIV  positive children. Providing references from religious scriptures, religious leaders focused on the proactive role of the faith leaders at the  community level to tackle HIV. While they were critical about some behavior  that may lead  people to be vulnerable to HIV infection, they  strongly expressed their views that every  infected person should be entitled to care and compassion. They underscored the  importance of practicing religious values for a better life. The participants expressed their  appreciation for the initiative which provided opportunity for interfaith interaction on various development issues as well as  delicate social issues such as HIV/AIDS.

USAID-supported Family Health International (FHI) has successfully utilized MACCA's religious networks in Bangladesh for HIV prevention by facilitating greater involvement of Imams and religious leaders.  MACCA brings the interfaith leaders together to promote subject matters such as gender, health (including HIV/AIDS), poverty, and human rights through dialogues, talk shows, seminars, workshops, and training sessions. Their presence heavily contributes to eradicate misperceptions that religions inhibit in development issues. Additionally, MACCA organizes Imam (religious leader) training sessions at divisional and district levels to engage influential religious leaders in HIV, AIDS, STI prevention, care and support work.  Six imam training sessions were held during the last two months in which 147 Imams received training.

USAID to provide $199 million to continue Health, Economic Growth and Environment programs in Bangladesh

October 8, 2007

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Government of Bangladesh (GOB) signed formal agreements on September 29 to continue joint development activities in the health, economic growth and environment sectors. Under the new agreements, USAID will provide a total of US$199 million in the aforesaid sectors.

USAID will provide US$173 million over five years to fund programs supporting maternal and child health, family planning, tuberculosis eradication and HIV/AIDS mitigation under the health and population agreement. This cements a long and productive relation between USAID and the Ministries of Finance and Health and Family Welfare.

USAID will also provide up to US$19 million over nine years to support programs that strengthen private sector productivity and the overall business enabling environment.  Several ministries will be involved, with the Ministry of Commerce taking the lead.

Also, an additional funding of US$7 million over five years in the environment sector will support natural resource conservation and biodiversity preservation programs in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry and will be expanded to include wetlands and other vital habitats around the country.

Government Formalizes Co-Management in Approval of Five Management Plans at USAID Sites

July 3, 2007

January 17:the government of Bangladesh approved a new conservation approach in five Management Plans covering more than 22,000 hectares of natural forest protected area (PA). These five PAs directly affect the livelihoods of over a quarter of a million low-income people living in surrounding areas.

The new management plans, developed with technical support from USAID's Nishorgo Support Project (NSP), provide specific means by which local communities surrounding PAs can benefit from park management and have a greater voice in decisions made concerning the parks. Under the new plans, recognized Co-Management councils and their executive committees, composed of a range of local stakeholders, can benefit from the range of economic values associated with PAs, including tourism revenue and periodic forest management activities.

With support from USAID's NSP, the Forest Department has embarked on a radically different approach than in past. Forests are no longer managed to be cut but rather managed in a participatory way that achieves conservation ends and contributes to local stakeholder livelihoods. The Government-approved management plans will make the transition to this new approach easier for people at the field level who are traditionally more reliant on government policies.

Students Commended as the Future Leaders of Influence

July 3, 2007

Students Commended as the Future Leaders of Influence


Photo: The participants of the bus tour with USAID officials
(Photo: USAID)

February 5-7: USAID/Bangladesh organized a major outreach program–the Student Bus tour to Sreemongol. The tour was part of the leaders of Influence program. The outstanding response and spontaneous participation from the students made the event a great success.

The bus tour is one of the many outreach initiatives of USAID/Bangladesh intended to provide future leaders with an opportunity to learn about development first hand. This involved detailed project briefings coupled with site visits, demanding full concentration and spontaneous participation from the students. This is not an easy task- the group visited five projects in three days and each of the projects had something new to offer. The students were very interactive while conversing with the project staff as well as the beneficiaries. Evenings were spent in seminars discussing development issues as it pertains to Bangladesh. Also, the group intends to prepare a report of their experiences for use by USAID. USAID/B would like to thank all the partners involved for their wonderful support throughout the tour.

USAID Celebrates International Women's Day

July 3, 2007

Colleagues learning about tools and programs that help women grow as an individual and voice against any sort of violence.
(Photo: USAID)

March 08: USAID and US Embassy jointly celebrated International Women's Day to signify the courage, strength, and contribution of women everywhere. The day long celebration included a gender and development fair by USAID partners, Pot* songs on gender equality, self examination for breast cancer and a panel discussion on this year's theme "Ending impunity for violence against women." USAID mission director Gene George and charge d' affaires Ms. Geeta Pasi inaugurated the event.

The event was the very first initiative on USAID's behalf to bring together its partner organizations to showcase their effort to better womens' standing in Bangladesh. The event provided a platform for the partners to share their printed and audio-visual materials produced on gender and development issues. A lunch time video show featured women's struggle for justice in a rural community in Bangladesh, illustrating the subtle changes taking place in the attitudes and behavior of individuals and communities regarding a woman's place in society. Considering the importance of awareness about breast cancer, the US Embassy Health Unit also organized two demonstration sessions on breast self-examination

USAID Relief Assistance to the Tornado affected families in Bhola

July 3, 2007

The year's first violent storm lasted for ten-minutes and damaged or destroyed 3,754 houses, injured 200 and killed 10 people. The storm was followed by a heavy hail shower which destroyed seasonal crops. Trees and social infrastructure were also damaged.

USAID Supports Uniting for the Newborns

July 3, 2007