BRAC helped 312,000 families out of extreme poverty over 5 years: Annual report

BRAC has said it supported 312,000 ultra-poor families escape extreme poverty over the past five years, according to its 2025 annual report.

During the same period ending in 2025, nearly 2.6 crore people across the country received various forms of assistance and services from BRAC, equivalent to one in every seven Bangladeshis.

The organisation unveiled its 2025 annual report at a media briefing held at BRAC Centre in the capital's Mohakhali area today (11 May). The event was attended by BRAC Executive Director Asif Saleh, Senior Director (Advocacy, Communications and Engagement) KAM Morshed, Director (Legal, Risk Management, Safeguarding and Social Compliance) AFM Shahidur Rahman, along with other senior officials.

According to the report, 1.9 crore women and more than 223,000 persons with disabilities received support from BRAC in 2025. Two out of every three people helped directly by BRAC were women. Assistance was provided across sectors including health, education, financial inclusion, safe water and sanitation, climate adaptation, disaster response, migration, and skills development.

BRAC highlighted efforts to improve the income and capabilities of marginalised communities through microfinance, ultra-poor graduation programmes, and skills development under its economic empowerment initiatives. Over the past five years, nearly Tk1 crore worth of productive assets were distributed. During the same period, total loan disbursement increased from Tk290 billion to Tk485 billion.

BRAC Executive Director Asif Saleh said, "BRAC Bank was established to support the Small and Medium Enterprises [SME] sector at a time when banks mainly focused on lending to large corporations. Even today, nearly 47% of BRAC Bank's portfolio is dedicated to SMEs."

He added, "The microfinance programme has also become self-sustaining and generates surplus income. With approval from the Microfinance Regulatory Authority, around 20% of that surplus can be spent on social development initiatives."

In the health sector, BRAC reported that 21 lakh mothers received safe delivery services over the past five years. During the same period, 35 lakh people were screened for non-communicable diseases, disabilities, and eye-related conditions. More than 10 lakh tuberculosis patients were identified and brought under treatment.

In education, 644,000 students completed BRAC's education programmes over the past five years, 56% of whom were girls. In addition, 1,740 schools were provided with safe drinking water, sanitation, and handwashing facilities for more than 808,000 students.

As part of women's empowerment and social justice initiatives, 98,600 women and children received legal support in cases related to violence and abuse over the last five years. Meanwhile, 102,000 adolescent girls participated in confidence-building and leadership development programmes. In 2025 alone, participants directly helped prevent 2,237 child marriages, reads the report.

On climate resilience and disaster preparedness, the report stated that nearly 11 lakh disaster-affected families received humanitarian assistance. Around 133,000 families benefited from climate adaptation support, while 105,729 people in disaster-prone areas gained access to safe water through climate-resilient technologies.

At the event, BRAC also released its IFRS S1 and S2 Disclosure Report, outlining the organisation's measures to address environmental and climate-related risks. BRAC said rooftop solar systems are being installed at 32 of its institutions, which are expected to meet around 55% of their electricity demand.

The organisation further stated that a plastic recycling centre in Cox's Bazar is expected to reduce approximately 1,272 tonnes of carbon emissions annually. Nature-based solutions are also projected to help retain nearly 2,700 tonnes of carbon per year.

Looking ahead, BRAC said it will prioritise inclusive development focused on women and youth, employment generation, quality education, financial inclusion, primary healthcare, and climate resilience over the next five years. The organisation aims to create one million jobs, help 19 lakh students address learning gaps, bring 2 crore people under financial services, and disburse TK150,000 crore in loans annually.