Visiting Bangladesh

9 – 17 August 2007

This was a particularly difficult time to visit Bangladesh, as it was in the grip of the worst floods for a decade. Although I had seen newspaper pictures in the UK, this doesn’t really compare with seeing the problem directly. Our partners work had been disrupted, particularly in the north of the country, and my programme had to be significantly curtailed due to travel problems. This was a pity, but on the other hand I think it is important that I visit places during difficult conditions, not just when things are at their best, so I can appreciate the challenges under which our people work.

The key objectives of the trip were:

• To meet the staff of the Bangladesh Country office, discuss current and future programme plans and to brief them on the status of the Strategic Review.
  

• To meet a number of key partners, both long standing and new, and perform a couple of inaugurations of new centres.
  


• To meet government officials and advocate for Vision 2020 and social inclusion for blind people
  


• To meet a range of beneficiaries.