Concern Worldwide, Bangladesh is a not for profit International Non-Governmental Organization. It's headquarter is in Dublin, Ireland. The organization has over 36 years of experience working in relief and development programs with people living in absolute poverty and local partners. In November 1970, when a devastating cyclone hit what was then known as East Pakistan, and then immediately followed by the liberation war resulting in the creation of the independent state of Bangladesh, Concern saw the staggering need for help in the region. The war had created an enormous refugee problem in Calcutta, and Concern sent a medical team to provide emergency assistance in the Salt Lake Camp and, in June 1971 launched the East Pakistani Famine Appeal. Later, after Bangladesh was declared an independent state, Concern started by extending support mainly to the standard Bihari communities in Dhaka, Saidpur, Khulna and Chittagong urban areas. Gradually it expanded its programme to other locations and its initial work approach was relief oriented, however, it moved towards development and capacity building approach in the 1980s. In late nineties, considering the development of a strong civil society in Bangladesh as well as changing role of international development agencies, it decided to move towards partnership approach from direct implementation. Current programmes include Health and Nutrition, Education, Disaster Mitigation, and Livelihood Security focus on poverty reduction and on building the capacity of local communities, government organizations and non-governmental partners, to increase the sustainability of programme objectives and to reach more people. Concern Worldwide Bangaldesh, as part of its commitment to improve the Maternal and Child Health has implemented a pilot operation research project on Reduction of Exposure to Indoor Air Pollution (IAP) through Household Energy and Behavioral improvements. The overall goal of the pilot project is to develop and demonstrate a household energy intervention model that integrates health and energy aspects, and leads to alleviation of indoor air pollution and improved energy efficiency. Concern is enthusiastic to work more on IAP issues in large scale through its existing rural and urban health setups.
Contact Information
Concern Worldwide Bangladesh initiatives are focused mainly within Bangladesh. Working with extreme poor people of both urban and rural settings through involving the community, local government authority, eected people's representatives, civil society etc.
Our Experience And Interest In The Four PCIA Central Focus Areas
Social/cultural barriers is one of the main barriers in shifting to improved and cleaner fuels and technologies in Bangladesh. Concern Worldwide, Bangladesh uses participatory tools and methods to help the target communities to understand the use of traditional fuels and stoves and how the products and their roles have evolved over time. This helps all concerned to identify alternative fuels and stoves and have a better appreciation for them.
Concern Worldwide, Bangladesh is now working with local partners and entrepreneurs, who produce and supply cooking stoves and devices, for capacity building and marketing of good quality products; creates demand for clean energy products and services through social marketing campaigns and networking activities, works with research institutions and the private sector for improving marketing strategies.
Concern Worldwide, Bangladesh interest is to contribute in this activity through Partnership with the relevant research institutions to meet the demand of the target people.
Concern Worldwide, Bangladesh has been working for the reduction of exposure to indoor Air Pollution through Household Energy and Behavioural Improvements. The main activities included awareness creation among poor households, capacity building of community leaders, information dissemination on adverse health impacts associated with exposure to indoor air pollution and possible ways of reducing exposure.
Relevant Publications or Studies
Baseline and Endline Survey on Household Energy Practices, Indoor Air Pollution & Health; Supoprt for monitoring indoor air pollutants - PM2.5, CO in urban slum/rural households in Bangladesh; BCC materials such as posters, flash card etc. to address IAP and Health issues.
Our Contribution to the Partnership
Concern Worldwide, Bangladesh is active in creating awareness in all sectors through participating in different forums, meetings, awareness campaigns, etc. We would like to receive updated information on indoor air pollution related activities and would also like to contribute information on developing Behavioural Change Communication (BCC) strategy, BCC materials production and dissemination process in respect to health and indoor air pollution.
