Australia to fund Brac's poverty reduction project
The Australian government will provide AUD 2.1 million (Tk 12.2 crore) for the Brac's Challenging the Frontiers of Poverty Reduction -- Targeting the Ultra Poor (CFPR-TUP) Programme, says a press release. An agreement to this effect was signed between Director General of the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) Bruce Davis and Founder and Chairperson of Brac Fazle Hasan Abed at the Brac Centre in the city yesterday. Australian High Commissioner Douglas Foskett, AusAID Regional Counsellor Percy Stanley, senior Brac officials and other dignitaries were also present at the signing ceremony. Speaking on the occasion, Bruce Davis appreciated the Brac's efforts to eliminate extreme poverty. He said, "I am very pleased that Australia's aid will contribute to reducing extreme poverty of four million people in Bangladesh through this Brac programme. Brac is also making a significant contribution to the development of Bangladesh through its microfinance, health and education programmes." Abed said, "We are grateful to the Australian government and the people of Australia for the support they are providing to some of the most disadvantaged and deprived families. On a pilot basis, this support will help many ultra-poor families transition to better lives and livelihoods." The CFPR-TUP programme, which was launched in 2002, is a multi-donor funded initiative aimed at reducing extreme poverty in the country.
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