The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

BRAC, one of the world's largest development organisations, yesterday released its annual report (2007) here, said a press release.

The organisation's key achievements in 2007 are set out in nine themed sections including microfinance, ultra poor, health, education, and equality and citizenry.

The annual report describes how BRAC, in Bangladesh, works to combat poverty in 70,000 villages and 2000 slums and reaches three quarters of the entire population with an integrated package of services, employing over 1,00,000 people.

For instance, the release said, BRAC's 68,000 community health volunteers make home visits to 18 million village households every month and provide the first line of support in the organisation's essential healthcare programme.

Every week, it said, 1.55 million children attend BRAC primary and pre-primary schools and are taught by more than 50,000 trained teachers.

BRAC began working internationally in 2002 with its entry into Afghanistan. It is now working in four Asian countires. In Africa, BRAC is present in Uganda, Tanzania, and Southern Sudan.