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Barokupot Ganochetona Foundation-BGF

Barokupot Ganochetona Foundation-BGF

Barokupot Ganochetona Foundation is a women-led humanitarian aid organization dedicated to serving the vulnerable coastal communities of Shyamnagar Upazila, Satkhira District, Bangladesh. Since our establishment in 2003, we have been actively engaged in humanitarian efforts, focusing on disaster relief, climate adaptation, food security, and livelihood support. Located in one of the most climate-sensitive regions near the Sundarbans, we work tirelessly to mitigate the devastating impacts of frequent cyclones, river erosion, and increasing salinity that threaten the livelihoods and well-being of local populations.

BGF OBJECTIVES
  1. To provide humanitarian aid and disaster response to climate-affected communities.
  2. To improve food security by promoting sustainable agricultural practices in saline-prone areas.
  3. To prevent displacement by creating alternative employment opportunities for marginalized people.
  4. To empower women and youth through skill development, education, and leadership training.
  5. To strengthen coastal embankments and promote eco-friendly solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change.
  6. To support health, nutrition, and sanitation initiatives for vulnerable populations, especially women, children, and persons with disabilities.

BGF VISION

A resilient, self-sufficient, and climate-adaptive coastal community where women, children, and marginalized groups can thrive despite environmental challenges.

BGF MISSION

To empower coastal communities, especially women and marginalized groups, through sustainable livelihood programs, disaster preparedness, and climate-resilient solutions to ensure food security, economic stability, and social well-being.

BGF GOAL

To build a sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient society in the coastal regions of Bangladesh by addressing humanitarian needs, preventing displacement, and promoting socio-economic development through community-driven initiatives.

Awareness building of Local Actors

Mother & Child Health and Nutrition support Programme

National Day Celebrated

WASH Programme Pond Sand Filter Opening Ceremony

Organization Policy Updated Training

Who We Work With?

  1. Tribal Munda community
  2. Backward Dalit community 
    • the fisherman, 
    • Bagdi, Malo, 
    • the sage, 
    • Whose tomb is it? 
    • the barber 
    • Zola 
    • the scavenger 
    • laundry 
    • blacksmith 
    • the waist 
  3. Vulnerable people with disabilities 
  4. Displaced Migrant Population 
  5. Tiger widow women population

Who Benefits from Our Programs?

  • Tribal Mumda Community
  • Indigenous Dalit Community

  •  Internal Displacement Community

  • Ultra Poor Community (Agriculture, Livelihood, Women Entrepreneurs group, WASH, Shelter)

  • Total: 30,000 Persons

Thematic Areas We Work In

  1. Disaster Management: 

    • Disaster Risk Reduction Internal Displacement Safer Alternative Livelihood the issue/s you work in? 
    • Emergency Response 
    • Displacement Safer

    Violence Against Women: 

    • Women Rights Addressing injustice and inequality caused by both visible and invisible forces by applying feminist values. 
    • Striving for social justice where discrimination is eliminated. 
    • To engage with income-generating activities to improve the quality of life of marginalized women. 
    • To overcome the vulnerability of marginalized people living in coastal areas due to natural calamities and climatic vulnerability and make them financially independent. 
    • Promoting positive change at various levels by combating discrimination. 
    • Gender Equality Protect Violence Leadership Development 
    • Protect Early Marriage Protect Sexual Abuse 
    • Women Financial Empowerment Skill Development Training 
    • Adolescent girl education & Health support programe 
    • Antenatal Healthcare 

    WASH Program: 

    • Pond Sand Filter and safe drinking water supply Hygienic Corner support for College & Girls High School Hygienic kit support for adolescent girl 

    Mother & Child support Program: 

    • Health & Nutrition Support 

    Tobacco Control & Health Program: 

    • Awareness buildup of tobacco control 

    Advocacy: 

    • We advocate to the government on behalf of oppressed women 
    • We advocate on behalf of the displaced displacement communities to the government for their rights 
    • We advocate with the local government administration for the rights of marginalized women 

    Combating Human Trafficking: 

    • Awareness Raising Campaign in safe migration

Current Challenge

Incessant cyclones, Tidal surges, River erosion and High salinity impacts are making the lives of marginalized communities living in our coastal towns miserable day by day. For example: 

  1. Food security is under threat due to high salinity. 
  2. Fresh water is very scarce compared to the requirement. Fresh water sources are often depleted. 
  3. Pregnant women and newborn babies in almost every family are suffering from malnutrition. 
  4. 66% of the women of the upazila are suffering from various diseases related to the uterus due to collecting shrimp larvae most of the time in brackish water and not using sanitary pads during periods. 
  5. 47 percent people of the upazila still use unsanitary latrines. Those who do not have watersheds in their latrines. 
  6. A large number of people are constantly migrating from coastal areas to urban slums and government private land for alternative employment and livelihood. 
  7. The tribal Munda community and the backward Dalit community living in the coastal areas are still deprived of rights and victims of discrimination. 
  8. Due to dire financial situation after Corona, the trend of early marriage of young girls is very noticeable. 
  9. Children are constantly turning away from school and engaging in child labor due to the cooperation of family heads. Father and mother are going to the brick kiln. Going to the river to catch fish. He is going to the forest to fish in a boat with his father. 
  10. To reduce disaster risk and improve the quality of life of marginalized communities, it is very necessary to provide them with leadership development and practical skills development training.

Successes and Victories in Implementing

  1. Humanitarian organizations working at the grassroots level in coastal areas need to increase their skills and capabilities. Financial assistance should be provided by liaising directly with donor agencies.
  2. Marginalized women population should be encouraged in this alternative agricultural production. They should be trained in various trades. Salt tolerant improved vegetable seeds and rice seeds should be distributed free of charge among them. Then threatened food security will be restored and strengthened.
  3. Fresh water sources in the area should be renovated and repaired and handed over to the community leaders. Community or household based water trunks should be distributed to retain rain water. So that the fresh water needs of the community are met.
  4. Provision should be made to ensure health and nutrition of vulnerable pregnant women among marginalized women populations. So that pregnant mothers and children are not deprived of healthy nutrition.
  5. Many poor women in coastal areas suffer from uterine problems due to high salinity and not using pads during periods. Free medical camp should also be conducted for those women. Where female specialist doctor can advise them.
  6. Unsanitary latrines should be renovated and repaired. So that marginalized people of the community can lead a healthy life.
  7. Alternative employment and livelihood should be provided to prevent displacement. If alternative employment is not provided, people are moving towards the city and leaving the area.
  8. Employment opportunities should be created for tribal Munda community and backward Dalit community. In order to reduce the discrimination, it is necessary to make arrangements to establish relationships with people of different professions in the society. Arrangements should be ensured by liaising with community leaders where necessary. They need to reduce wage inequality. 

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