NGOs play an important role in implementing activities at the grassroots level and in the development of grassroots communities, especially in programs for the economic empowerment of women. Through various skills development and capacity-building initiatives, NGOs help grassroots people become involved in self-employment-oriented programs, thereby contributing to improvements in living standards as well as the country’s overall development. Dr. Mohammad Zakaria, Director General (Secretary) of the NGO Affairs Bureau under the Prime Minister’s Office, made these remarks while visiting project activities implemented by YPSA in Cox’s Bazar district.
He further said that broader participation of women in social development activities would make such initiatives even more dynamic.
16 May 2026, Dr. Mohammad Zakaria, Director General (Secretary) of the NGO Affairs Bureau, visited the YPSA-implemented “Multi-Sector Recovery and Empowerment Support for Crisis-Affected Communities in Cox’s Bazar” project in the Upazilas of Ramu, Chakaria, and Ukhiya in Cox’s Bazar district, implemented with support from the International Rescue Committee (IRC).
He also visited the YPSA HRDC (YPSA Human Resource Development Center) Cox’s Bazar Campus in the Panerchhara area of Ramu Upazila.
He appreciated the activities implemented by YPSA for their transparency and accountability, and called for the adoption of more people-friendly and citizen-focused initiatives. It is worth mentioning that since its establishment in 1985, YPSA has been a registered non-governmental social development organization with the NGO Affairs Bureau under the Prime Minister’s Office, working in Greater Chattogram and, since 2001, implementing various social development and humanitarian assistance activities in Cox’s Bazar.
In addition, as a partner organization of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh’s development institution Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF), YPSA has been implementing various social development, poverty alleviation, and economic empowerment activities in Greater Chattogram. It has also been carrying out a range of social and humanitarian development programs as a partner organization of the Bangladesh NGO Foundation (BNF), an autonomous institution under the Financial Institutions Division of the Ministry of Finance. YPSA is also an organization with consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC), working toward sustainable development.
During the visit, Senior Assistant Secretary Sharif Ahmed of the NGO Affairs Bureau, Administrative Officer Bahadur Roichur Rahman, and Kuddusur Rahman were present. Also present were IRC Program Coordinator Sheikh Jahidur Rahman; YPSA Deputy Director and Regional Head Mohammad Shahidul Islam; Assistant Director Jishu Barua; YPSA Cox’s Bazar Focal Person Mohammad Harun; and other project-related officials.
