Message from the Chairperson

I am delighted to present the Annual Report of the period 2009-2010 on the progress of program and of future growth prospects of VERC. NGO activities in the country have experienced some procedural dimensions during the reporting year especially in respect of micro-finance. The regulatory guidance of the government helped VERC to shape up its micro-credit and other activities. Previous year’s work experience helped VERC making prompt response to development needs of the underprivileged people across intervention areas.

The year has experienced renewal as well as closure of partnership with Cordaid Nl, Simavi, WaterAid, and Save the Children US. It is encouraging for us to have partnership with UNDP and Unicef to undertake governance promotion and enabling people in new areas for promotion of water, sanitation and hygiene practice capacity respectively. Despite the renewal of donor commitments, VERC had to continue losing experienced staff for want of sufficient donor commitments to meet the program growth needs. Future sustainability of the organization itself is a new reality for VERC to take seriously.

VERC has continued efforts in strengthening the Local Government Institutions to make WatSan, health, education, disaster management and other development interventions gain stronger grounds in communities and attain sustainability. In recognition to VERC capacity in the sector, Undp and World Bank have come up with support to us promoting pro-people governance in the country.

Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach have been drawing attention of sector actors and the intervention have been visited by visitors from overseas development practitioners during the year. IDS continued updating documentation on CLTS scaling up process at the global level which is encouraging for practitioners of the approach in Bangladesh and beyond. WSP is playing a laudable role in cross-sharing of experience on WatSan in the country where VERC is playing an important role.

The experience gained over the years would be helpful to formulate strategies in addressing the affects of climate change on life and livelihood towards addressing the poverty reduction needs of the people in target areas in the days ahead on priority basis.

I, on behalf of the management, appreciate the Executive Director and staff members of VERC for their hard work for successful implementation of various project activities and drawing lessons that are worth sharing with sector actors. Also thanking all who contributed to the efforts of VERC during the reporting year. Requesting you all to keep on the spirit in the days to come and help carrying forward the mission of supporting the people in need.

Syed Nurul Alam
Chairperson
Board of Directors December 2010
VERC