Canada announces CAD 45 million for Bangladesh’s most vulnerable population

Canada has announced 45 million Canadian dollars to support the most vulnerable population of Bangladesh over the next five years.

Canadian Minister for International Development Karina Gould made the announcement during a virtual visit to see impacts of Brac's urban development programme.

Gould also met with young women engaged in skills training, healthcare workers supporting soon-to-be-mothers, and witnessed the Brac-led Covid-19 prevention and response activities in action. Brac Executive Director Asif Saleh accompanied her.

Canada's support of CAD 45 million will fund Brac-led multi-sector initiatives, including programme on skills and vocational training and public health outreach tailored to reach children and families that are unable to access the services they need.

A joint statement by Global Affairs Canada said that with this contribution, Canada joins the Strategic Partnership Agreement, a long-term tripartite partnership with Brac and the Government of Australia, which is closely aligned with Canada's Feminist International Assistance Policy and is built on Brac's longstanding women-centred development approach.

"Our local, experienced partners know all too well the disproportionate impact the COVID-19 crisis has had on the world's most vulnerable. Together, we must continue to push forward and seek out those hardest to reach, including marginalized women and children," said Karina Gould.

Canada remains committed to supporting Bangladesh in addressing the impacts of the pandemic and helping vulnerable populations respond and recover as fast as possible, she said.

Asif Saleh said they were delighted to welcome Global Affairs Canada as one of our strategic partners and that this partnership couldn't come at a more critical time, as the Covid-19 pandemic has further aggregated inequalities in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh needs resources to combat the impact of this pandemic and sustain the momentum of socio-economic growth, he said, adding, "This partnership will help us keep the country on the growth trajectory and to continue our efforts in the pandemic response and the recovery process."