Development assistance in Bangladesh
Overview
Australia is partnering with Bangladesh to support greater social cohesion and address food security risks exacerbated by COVID-19. We will assist Bangladesh to reform the systems underpinning the National Social Security Strategy to enhance its systems, to ensure support reaches the most vulnerable. Through the World Food Programme, ACIAR, CSIRO and Australian NGOs we are supporting nutrition services and agricultural research partnerships. We are continuing to support inclusive education and skills development through BRAC, the Underprivileged Children's Educational Program (UCEP), Australia Awards, and the Global Partnership for Education. In Cox’s Bazar District, Australia’s humanitarian assistance will support initiatives that build the resilience, social cohesion and self-reliance of both Rohingya and local communities. Australia will work with Bangladesh to support stability and economic growth in the Indian Ocean Region, including through the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
Further information, including situation analysis, expected outcomes, key results and Australia’s broader engagement, can be found in the Bangladesh COVID-19 Development Response Plan.
Related initiatives
- Social Protection Policy Support Program (UNDP)
- World Food Programme
- BRAC Strategic Partnership Arrangement
- Skills for Economic Growth and Prosperity
- Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)
- Global Partnership for Education
- Australia Awards
- Humanitarian Package
- South Asia Regional
Social Protection Policy Support Programme
$3 million, 2018 to 2020
The Social Security Policy Support Programme is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the Australian and UK Development Programs. The program supports the government of Bangladesh with reforming the current social security system based on the National Social Security Strategy, ensuring that economic growth is achieved in a more inclusive manner. Planning is underway for the next phase of this program.
Additional information on this partnership can be found on UNDP’s Social Security Policy Support Programme.
World Food Programme
$13 million, 2017 to 2020
This partnership supports the World Food Programme’s (WFP) Bangladesh Country Strategic Plan (2017-2020). It provides flexible assistance to support improved nutrition for rural and urban poor, humanitarian assistance for the displaced Rohingya population in Cox’s Bazar, innovative approaches to enhance resilience for food-insecure households exposed to climate related shocks and pressures and responses to large scale natural disasters. We will extend our support through WFP for nutrition services for women and children.
Additional information on this partnership can be found on World Food Programme’s Bangladesh Country Strategic Plan (2017-2020).
BRAC Strategic Partnership Arrangement
$114.5 million, 2016 to 2020
BRAC is one of the largest non-government organisations in the world. Australia's Strategic Partnership Arrangement with BRAC and the UK Government (established in 2012) is an innovative approach to delivering aid through non-government organisations. It allows BRAC to decide how to allocate pooled funds from development partners for its programs. These programs deliver basic education services, skills training and livelihoods assistance to build resilience amongst the poorest and most marginalised communities in Bangladesh, particularly women and children. Planning is underway for a third phase.
Additional information on the partnership can be found on BRAC.
Related documents
Skills for Economic Growth and Prosperity
$12 million, 2019 to 2022
This partnership with a Bangladesh NGO, the Underprivileged Children’s Education Program (UCEP), provides pathways through education into vocational skills training and job placement for poor children and adolescents in urban areas, especially women and girls. UCEP’s partnerships with the private sector are facilitating the critical connections between education, training and employment that are needed to deliver the workforce industry needs in Bangladesh.
Additional information on the partnership can be found on Underprivileged Children’s Education Program Bangladesh.