U. N. Women's Association

 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE WELFARE COMMITTEE

April 2002 - March 2003

It is a pleasure and honour to present the report of the Welfare Committee for 2002-2003.

The Committee continued its tradition of help and service to those in need in the past year  according to the purpose and criteria of  UNWA.  This year 16 projects  were assisted. In addition, six cases of special emergency  assistance requests were approved by the Committee from the Little Miracle Fund.(LMF). A total amount  of  Taka 1,007,302 was disbursed by the Welfare Committee -  Taka 906,496  granted to the 16 projects  and Taka 100,806  granted from the LMF.

At the recommendation of the Welfare Committee, the UNWA Board agreed in  June, 2002 to increase the limits of funds that could be granted  - from Taka 50,000 to Taka 75, 000 for an individual project application and Taka  25,000 from Taka 10,000 for an application to  LMF. The Board still retained the discretion to go beyond these limits in exceptional cases if it considered appropriate.

The Welfare Committee followed diligently the procedures  and criteria for considering each request for assistance. Applicants were required to present their requests in a prescribed form containing a list of questions  regarding the project and purpose of the assistance requested. After preliminary discussion in the Committee, each project site was visited by several members of the Committee and a report was submitted to the Committee. The Committee then reviewed the application and the report of the site visit and made a recommendation to the UNWA Board. On receiving the Board's approval,  the Chair of the Committee ensured that a cheque was issued and handed over to the project promptly. The Project is required to give an undertaking to use the funds for the intended purposes.

In the case of  LMF, Committee Members and  other members of UNWA  bring to the attention of the Committee highly deserving cases in need of emergency assistance. A decision is taken either through discussion in the Committee or by  the Chair person in consultation with Committee members.

The Welfare Committee met 13 times between April 2002 to March 2003. It met  twice in February and March 2003 and once all other months except in July, when no meeting was held because of summer holidays.. Committee members visited some 19 projects of which 16 were selected for assistance. Two or three projects were visited by teams of Committee members in most months and reports were prepared for the Committee.

The Welfare Committee consists of eight very devoted and active members. I thank every member of the Committee for her untiring help and cooperation. My sincere thanks also go to the UNWA Board. The Board has been always very helpful and supportive in considering and approving the recommendations of the Welfare Committee. The Board has also given necessary guidance for the work of the Committee. My personal appreciation goes to our President Tazeen Rehman. I have called her at all hours for advice and to have checks signed on urgent occasions. Other Board members also have been unfailingly helpful  when I called on them. Last but not the least, I gratefully acknowledge the help of Meriaty Subroto, our treasurer, whom also I bothered at all  hours and  chased everywhere, when I needed her help.

The 16 projects supported this year represent a range of needs and programme activities. ( see attached list.) Mostly, assistance was provided for destitute and needy children, including abandoned and orphan children and  adolescent girls. UNWA's help to the projects supported the efforts of some dedicated and selfless people in the concerned organizations to give the children and adolescents a chance to survive and brighten their lives a little. The LMF grants literally meant the difference between life and death for the recipients. Projects supported by UNWA are located in and around Dhaka which can be visited and monitored by the Committee, according to our guidelines. We have  published  reports periodically about Welfare activities in Womun to keep you all informed. The coming issue of the newsletter will provide the information for the past year.

The annual Projects Fair organised by the Welfare Committee was held on 19 February 2003. The purpose of the Fair is to give the projects a chance to inform members of UNWA about project activities, plans and achievements.  Nine projects who have received assistance from UNWA presented exhibits and provided information in the fair. Runa Marre, a guest speaker, spoke about the Lifebuoy Friendship Hospital also known as the Floating Hospital run on a barge by a retired French sailor. It provides medical services to rural people along rivers accessible by boat.  After the talk, a delightful performance of songs was presented by the children from the School of Hope.  Good attendance, a sunny and cool day and well-presented exhibits made the fare a successful and festive event.

The principal source of funds for UNWA's Welfare activities is the annual UN Ball. The Ball was held successfully in October 2002. The Welfare Committee assisted the Board and  the Ball Committee to organise this flagship event of UNWA and raise funds for the welfare fund. We thank the Board, the Ball Committee and other members of UNWA for their effort.

Finally, on behalf of the Welfare Committee, I thank all members of UNWA whose support and interest are vital for the Committee work. After all, it is your effort in raising funds that make the welfare activities of UNWA possible.

Anowara Ahmed

Chairperson

Welfare Committee

29 March 2003