Bangladesh

Achieving the MDGs and reducing human poverty
23 NUNVs, and 1 IUNV are supporting the UNDP (DEX) Chittagong Hill Tracts project for Development and Confidence Building in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).

The project aims at reducing poverty, especially among the very poor, and consolidating harmony and stability by helping local institutions function more effectively and spearhead economic progress. UNVs work with local communities and local municipalities in 3 Hill districts (Bandarban, Khagrachari and Rangamati) to actively promote volunteerism and community empowerment. Among others, UNVs assist in building capacities of local community organizations and supporting grassroots initiatives by acting as animators to mobilize communities’ participation in development activities. UN Volunteers provide services for institution-building support to all relevant CHT institutions and for the creation of community development pilot schemes at the grassroots level through the Quick Impact Fund (QIF) process - a micro-grant provided by CHTDF for the socio-economic development of the peoples of CHT. Here, UNVs support the production of (QIF) guidelines for the preparation and submission of small projects designed by the community. Under the CHTDF, UNVs also facilitate dialogue, organize, and conduct trainings on community participation, in close cooperation with community facilitators, government and NGOs. UNVs furthermore play a key role as facilitators and resource persons in conducting community surveys, participatory assessments, and in identifying needs and problems in the communities, to contribute to the formation of development committees.

5 NUNV specialists and 1 international UNV specialist are supporting UNHCR on various refugee related issues.

HIV/AIDS
UNV supports the UNODC initiative in the SAARC region to reduce spread of HIV/AIDS among drug users through the expertise of two NUNVs.

The UNV - UNODC collaboration to carry forward national level activities in SAARC member countries has led to an increased convergence with UNAIDS co-sponsored agencies. NUNV specialists assist National Focal Points (NFPs) and MENTOR agencies to monitor the national components of the project, support the database initiative and represent UNODC in national and UN system events. Through this mechanism, the project as well as UNODC mainstreams drug-related issues into UNAIDS-driven activities in member countries.

Two NUNV Specialists in Bangladesh are placed at the NFP office and provide service to the database initiative through the maintenance of information on drugs users and HIV/AIDS, the collection of secondary data from various sources, the analysis of data and reporting to stakeholders through the Department of Narcotics. The UNVs monitor the implementation of activities like Information Education and Communication and Behavioral Change Communication (IEC/BCC), and peer-led interventions on prevention of HIV/AIDS among drug users by partner NGOs. They are also part of the UN Theme Group (UNTG) of UNAIDS.

One International UNV specialist is extending his services to WFP on mainstreaming HIV/AIDS issues in all WFP key interventions.

Ensure Environmental Sustainability (MDG 7)
One IUNV specialist, Conservation Management Planner has been supporting UNDP/GEF supported coastal and wetland biodiversity management project. She is helping department of environment and forest by preparing three conservation management plans for ecologically critical area declared under Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act.

5 NUNV field workers are working under “Safe and Environment Friendly Ship Recycling Project” (SAFEREC) projects educating breakers and ship-breaking communities on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Management and other OSH related issues respectively.

ICT4D
One NUNV has recently joined under CISCO-UNV partnership programme.


Proposed initiatives

Volunteerism and achievement of MDGs in Bangladesh
The UNDP CO has called for an integrated approach among the government and other development counterparts for the achievement of the MDGs. In this context, UNV has a potential role in ensuring the involvement of communities through civil society organizations in the achievement of MDGs.

Disaster Risk Management
Given the annual recurrence of floods in the delta region of Bangladesh, there is an opportunity and need for the involvement of UNV in a community focused Disaster Risk Management (DRM) initiative. The role of UN Volunteers in community based disaster risk management programme has been successfully demonstrated in the Pakistan and Indian context (Sub-Continent), where since 2001; UNVs are involved in implementation of community based DRM initiatives including preparedness, recovery and rehabilitation activities.