download Practical Action Bangladesh Annual Report 2010 (PDF, 2Mb) including programme reports, organisational detail and financial statement

From the Country Director's desk

Practically every year the organisation has some events, achievements or endeavors to celebrate. This year is no different, as we mark the 20th anniversary of our work and presence in Bangladesh.

Since its establishment in 1990, Practical Action, Bangladesh (formerly ITDG) has come a long way, to become now a leading INGO and development partner, that is actively contributing towards a world free from hunger, improving livelihood opportunities and reducing vulnerability of the poor and the marginalised communities. Today we are directly reaching more than 200,000 people in 22 districts of the country.

Considerable growth in terms of budget, staff and programme activities, has enabled the country office to become one of the biggest and most significant among all the Practical Action country and regional offices across the world. All this has been due to the untiring efforts and skills of our staff, partners, beneficiaries, donors and the continued support that we get from the UK. I sincerely congratulate and thank all of those who have and continue to be with us in our mission to eradicate poverty.

However this success should not lead us to any state of complacency or satisfaction, in that all the problems that we face in our society are being resolved. There are bigger and many challenges that still have to be addressed, in a country with a population of about 160 million with limited resources. We need to critically review and evaluate our work over the past two decades, the resources we have spent, the ideas and approaches that we have promoted and how these have really impacted to bring real, sustainable and positive changes that justifies our existence. Many aspects of our work are still inadequate, and have not scaled up and reached the huge numbers of poor that is so vitally required. We need to have a clearer understanding of the impediments and propose better and practical solutions.

Over the past couple of decades the country has undergone significant social, political and economic transformation, manifesting in growth of income and resources. However this has not benefited a large segment of the population, with 40% still living below the poverty line. In addition there are ominous signs of growing inequality, in terms of material well being, quality of human life and power relations. Possibly extreme poverty may continue to grow, bringing social and economic imbalance creating more conflict and insecurity.

Practical Action is committed to continue to address and question the global and national challenges of today for a sustainable future and equitable society that will promote economic growth, resource distribution, empowerment and well being of the most deprived and marginalised.

Veena Khaleque
Country Director