UNB, Dhaka :
UK Permanent Secretary for the Department for International Development (DFID) Mark Lowcock on Wednesday said the United Kingdom is a long-standing partner of Bangladesh and laid emphasis on ‘results’ through their aid programmes in Bangladesh to help it achieve middle-income status by 2021.
“What matters is result, in terms of our impact on the lives of the poor – the number of girls and boys educated, people with access to safe water, mothers having safe births,” Mark said in a statement on conclusion of his Dhaka visit.
He said, the UK is a ‘long-standing’ partner of Bangladesh and both the countries enjoy a ‘vibrant’ bilateral relationship. “We’re proud of supporting Bangladesh’s efforts to combat poverty and achieve middle-income status by 2021.”
Mark also said Britain is determined that its aid programme, delivered with the government of Bangladesh and other development partners, succeeds and demonstrates high impact and maximum value for money.
As part of his tour, Mark visited UCEP (Underprivileged Children’s Educational Programme) project in Mirpur to meet children studying at the centre, and discussed how skills and vocational training can support development goals.
He also visited a garment factory to see how UK aid is helping to improve safety and working conditions, especially for women, in Bangladesh’s garment sector since the Rana Plaza tragedy.
Following his visit to an urbanisation project (funded by the UK aid, in partnership with UNDP) in Korail slum, he said, “I’ve seen firsthand today how UK aid is making a difference to the lives of the poor, especially women and girls, by providing access to clean water, sanitation facilities and shelter.”
This is a fundamental part of their development support but there is also an even more powerful story here, he added.
“We’re also making a difference by empowering communities to manage their own development. Representatives from these communities-including many inspiring women like those I met – now have seats at local government meetings and have a voice and choice on services provided,” he said.
Mark also met Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, Chairman of BRAC and said he is really proud of the UK government’s innovative partnership with BRAC.
“We’ve worked together for many years to lift some of the very poorest people in Bangladesh out of extreme poverty to empower women and girls and to address the development challenges of the future.”
The UK is the largest funder of BRAC’s development programmes. That is based on BRAC’s proven track record of delivering results and changing the lives of poor people in Bangladesh.
UK Permanent Secretary for the Department for International Development (DFID) Mark Lowcock on Wednesday said the United Kingdom is a long-standing partner of Bangladesh and laid emphasis on ‘results’ through their aid programmes in Bangladesh to help it achieve middle-income status by 2021.
“What matters is result, in terms of our impact on the lives of the poor – the number of girls and boys educated, people with access to safe water, mothers having safe births,” Mark said in a statement on conclusion of his Dhaka visit.
He said, the UK is a ‘long-standing’ partner of Bangladesh and both the countries enjoy a ‘vibrant’ bilateral relationship. “We’re proud of supporting Bangladesh’s efforts to combat poverty and achieve middle-income status by 2021.”
Mark also said Britain is determined that its aid programme, delivered with the government of Bangladesh and other development partners, succeeds and demonstrates high impact and maximum value for money.
As part of his tour, Mark visited UCEP (Underprivileged Children’s Educational Programme) project in Mirpur to meet children studying at the centre, and discussed how skills and vocational training can support development goals.
He also visited a garment factory to see how UK aid is helping to improve safety and working conditions, especially for women, in Bangladesh’s garment sector since the Rana Plaza tragedy.
Following his visit to an urbanisation project (funded by the UK aid, in partnership with UNDP) in Korail slum, he said, “I’ve seen firsthand today how UK aid is making a difference to the lives of the poor, especially women and girls, by providing access to clean water, sanitation facilities and shelter.”
This is a fundamental part of their development support but there is also an even more powerful story here, he added.
“We’re also making a difference by empowering communities to manage their own development. Representatives from these communities-including many inspiring women like those I met – now have seats at local government meetings and have a voice and choice on services provided,” he said.
Mark also met Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, Chairman of BRAC and said he is really proud of the UK government’s innovative partnership with BRAC.
“We’ve worked together for many years to lift some of the very poorest people in Bangladesh out of extreme poverty to empower women and girls and to address the development challenges of the future.”
The UK is the largest funder of BRAC’s development programmes. That is based on BRAC’s proven track record of delivering results and changing the lives of poor people in Bangladesh.
