OUR JOURNEY

1970s

BRAC founded

BRAC begins relief and rehabilitation operations in 1972. In 1974, Long-term development commences alongside relief operations with focus on women as the managers of development. Research and evaluation division is established in 1975. In 1978, Aarong is launched to create livelihood opportunities for women in rural areas through craft.

1980s

Holistic support

BRAC’s first nationwide door-to-door campaign on oral therapy to tackle diarrhoea begins in 1980. Poultry vaccination programme initiated in 1983. BRAC’s work in education begins in 1985 through non-formal primary education programme.

Rural development programme formed in this decade to merge awareness building with economic activities. Human rights and legal services programme is introduced. Work on infant and maternal mortality begins in 1986, resulting in child-focused initiatives such as mass-scale immunisation, family planning and delivery centres.

1990s

Empowerment of youth

Adolescent reading centres open and a range of initiatives taken to empower adolescents including skills training and social development. Pre-primary schools open to prepare children to enter the mainstream schooling system. Adult literacy centres open, focusing on reproductive health, skills, basic education and rights. In 1997, the first limb and brace fitting centre opens. The dairy and food project is launched in 1998, and operations move beyond rural to urban areas.

2000s

Growing international presence

BRAC starts development operations in Afghanistan in 2002. BRAC University and BRAC Bank Limited is established. Programme supporting people in ultra poverty is launched. In 2004, BRAC responds to the Asian Tsunami, marking its first international humanitarian response. From 2006 to 2008, BRAC's development work expands to Tanzania, Uganda, Pakistan, South Sudan, Sierra Leone and Liberia. BRAC UK, BRAC USA and Stichting BRAC International is established to mobilise resources.

2010s

Ranked #1 NGO

Global Journal ranks BRAC the #1 NGO in the world in 2013. Play Labs begin in 2015, marking an important milestone in BRAC’s work in early childhood development. BRAC becomes one of the leading responders to the Rohingya crisis in Cox’s Bazar, launching humanitarian support at scale during the Rohingya crisis in 2017. Operations start in the Philippines and Rwanda. In 2019, BRAC Uganda Bank Limited is established.

2020s

Pandemic response

BRAC becomes one of the leading responders in the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh.

STORIES OF BRAC

WHAT BRAC MEANS TO YOU

UPDATES

BRAC’s origin story


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Story of Abed bhai, Founder, BRAC


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BRAC Turns 50: Igniting hope from Bangladesh to the world


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From Bangladesh to the world, fifty and beyond.


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