The Barind Tract is Bangladesh’s most drought-prone and water-scarce area, significantly lagging in income and human development indicators compared to other regions. It is home to many Indigenous communities living in precarious conditions. This new program will implement tailored, climate-sensitive, and time-bound interventions to guide households towards sustainable livelihoods and enhanced socioeconomic resilience. The program also focuses on economic empowerment, food security, improved nutrition, increased confidence, positive behavioral changes, and greater social inclusion.

Asif Saleh, Executive Director of BRAC, emphasized the initiative’s importance: “We are addressing the critical intersection of poverty and climate challenges faced by Indigenous households in the Barind Tract, one of the nation’s poorest regions. Through community-led and tailored interventions, this partnership with MetLife Foundation exemplifies the need for multi-sectoral collaboration to scale climate-adaptive efforts for the ultra-poor.”

Ala Ahmad, Chief Executive Officer of MetLife Bangladesh, expressed his commitment to the initiative, stating, “MetLife is dedicated to building a secure future for the people of Bangladesh. This partnership with BRAC aims to enhance the livelihoods of families and communities. I am confident that the program participants will achieve greater security and contribute to Bangladesh’s economic growth.”

BRAC’s Graduation approach, first introduced in Bangladesh in 2002 through the Ultra-Poor Graduation program, has since benefited over 2.2 million ultra-poor households. This approach has supported the most marginalized communities, including persons with disabilities, in both rural and urban areas, demonstrating a sustainable path out of poverty.