MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Microfinance Institution Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC) and the American Pakistan Foundation (APF) Partner to Provide Relief for Flood Victims in Pakistan

BRAC (formerly known as the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee), a microfinance institution based in Bangladesh, and the American Pakistan Foundation (APF), a US-based nonprofit, are partnering to help rebuild areas of Pakistan affected by the July 2010 floods through the use of the microlender’s infrastructure and personnel.

APF will be supporting BRAC’s relief operations in Pakistan through BRAC affiliate BRAC USA. The goal of the partnership is to enable 200 households, particularly those deemed most vulnerable and those most affected by the flooding, to recover their assets and livelihoods. Details are not available regarding whether the “support” will take the form of grants, loans or other assistance.

An estimated 20 million people have been directly affected by the flooding. In July, 23 of BRAC Pakistan’s 94 microfinance branches were directly affected by the flooding.

By Witt Gatchell, Research Associate

About the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC):
BRAC is a development organization based in Bangladesh. It was established in 1972 by Sir Fazel Hasan Abed, shortly after the independence of Bangladesh from Pakistan. BRAC is present in all districts of Bangladesh serving over 7 million borrowers. The organization operates in 14 countries around the world, mostly in South Asia and Africa. In 2009, BRAC International reported a total loan portfolio of USD 636 million, total assets of USD 990 million and 6.2 million borrowers. BRAC Pakistan reported a gross loan portfolio of USD 4.3 million, total assets of USD 10.2 million and 45,011 borrowers as of December 2009.

About the American Pakistan Foundation (APF):
The American Pakistan Foundation (APF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the social and economic condition of the people of Pakistan. Founded and led by Pakistani-Americans and friends of Pakistan in 2009, APF’s mission is to expand development initiatives in education, public health, social entrepreneurship and poverty-alleviation with the aim of advancing a vision to advance mutual understanding between the peoples of the US and Pakistan.

Sources and Additional Resources:
[1] PRWeb: “BRAC and American Pakistan Foundation (APF) Join Hands in Post-Flood Rehabilitation Efforts in Pakistan.”, September 18, 2010. http://www.prweb.com/releases/emergency/pakistan/prweb4535184.htm

MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Floods Cause $31m in Damage to 86 Branches of Pakistan’s Microfinance Institutions
https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-floods-cause-31m-in-damag…

MicroCapital Universe. American Pakistan Foundation.
https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=Ame…

MicroCapital Universe. BRAC.
https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=BRA…

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