
Focused on #ExtremePoverty & #ClimateAdaptation for @BRACworld | Views AMO
London | Dhaka
Joined March 2010
- Tweets4.8K
- Following3.1K
- Followers1.3K
- Likes2.8K
Isabel Siddique Whisson retweeted
Today the *Generating Better Livelihoods for Grant Recipients project (GBL)*, a partnership initiative between the *DSD, SASSA, NDA, FinMark Trust (FMT), and BRAC International* hosted Brac delegation, led by with Mr. Jerome Oberreit, Executive Director of BRAC Global. As the GBL Project continues to attract international attention within the BRAC Global network, particularly regarding the pivotal role played by the Government of South Africa in leading the implementation of this innovative graduation programme.
The objectives of the session were to:
• Provide BRAC Global leadership with an overview of the GBL Project as a government-led graduation model implemented through DSD and its agencies (SASSA and NDA), in collaboration with partners from the private and NGO sectors.
• Share lessons and insights from the implementation of the project, including perspectives on future plans from government stakeholders.
• Showcase the strength of collaborative partnerships between government, the private sector, and civil society in advancing sustainable livelihoods in South Africa.
SASSA was represented by CEO Mr Themba Matlou, with other representatives from other government stakeholders,namely: Social Development; Agriculture; Small Business Development and the National Youth Development Agency.
During the session Mr. Matlou shared with the delegates the mandate of SASSA, and the support that the Agency is providing to the project, including hosting the project team members both in SASSA Head quarters as well as the Local Offices where the project is piloting. He further shared that the project is very important and needs to move beyond the pilot and scale up in all provinces and target at least 5 million grant recipients.
This engagement will culminate into site visit in the Free State (Welkom) on the 06 November 2025.
#GeneratingBetterLivelihoods
#SASSACARES
Isabel Siddique Whisson retweeted
What’s the key to a climate-resilient future?
Christina Chan, Senior Director at BRAC Climate Hub, shared her ideas during the Frugal Innovation Forum 2025 in Bangladesh.
Read the interview: thedailystar.net/opinion/int…
#ClimateAction #Resilience #FrugalInnovation #BRAC #Bangladesh
Isabel Siddique Whisson retweeted
Three key takeaways from the first day of Frugal Innovation Forum 2025:
1. Climate adaptation should not be only about survival. It should be about living a dignified life, with access to livelihoods and a space for growth.
2. Transformative adaptation must be about system shifts, not just seasonal tweaks.
3. Localisation is not translation, it is transformation. Change cannot be expected just by incorporating technology. Communities' access, readiness, and trust are pre- requisites for the adoption of climate advisories.
Keep an eye on BRAC’s channels tomorrow to learn more about making adaptation work for the people living on the frontlines of the climate crisis.
#FIF2025
Isabel Siddique Whisson retweeted
The future of adaptation is being shaped now. Hear from BRAC’s Executive Director, Asif Saleh, on why FIF 2025 matters— and why your voice is needed.
Sign up for early access to FIF 2025: forms.gle/bzpgz5PWTvZiX3DA7
#FIF2025 #FIFforfuture #FIFFieldToForum
Where development $ is ever more scarce, we clearly see the imperative for ongoing govt investments to generate higher returns to tackle #extremepoverty. 👇🏼
Scaling in a more Frugal World? Foundations to Tackle Extreme Poverty through Government @BRAC_UPGI bracupgi.org/news-updates/po…
Isabel Siddique Whisson retweeted
Rising Heat. Rising Action.
As heatwaves intensify, threatening health, livelihoods, and the economy, urgent climate action is no longer a choice — it’s a necessity.
In partnership with the Government of Bihar’s @brlps_jeevika and @BRACworld, MHT is launching a 'Heat Awareness Campaign' across urban poor communities in #Bihar.
This campaign aims to equips JEEViKA beneficiaries and the wider urban poor with the knowledge and tools to stay safe, protect incomes, and build resilience in the face of #extremeheat.
By integrating a climate lens into urban livelihoods, we’re not just raising awareness — we’re building climate-smart communities for tomorrow.
Because resilience starts with informed communities and collective action.
#JEEViKA #PMC #ClimateResilientLivelihoods #Bihar #Heatwave #ClimateResilience #UrbanPoor #Livelihoods #MHTImpact #BRACUPGI #SHGs #ClimateAdaptation
The climate crisis is hitting the women who feed us the hardest. Here’s how we need to support them @asifsaleh development-today.com/archiv…
Isabel Siddique Whisson retweeted
Philanthropy is barely scratching the surface when it comes to funding #ClimateAdaptation 🌍💰
While giving for climate change is growing, only 3.6-6.1% goes to adaptation. It's time for foundations to step up and help close the finance gap.
🔗 bit.ly/4c9qOHY
#ClimateFinance
We need radical simplification of aid: fewer, larger scale programmes - incl Graduation programs targeting the ultra-poor, that are “proven (in multiple countries) to lift people permanently out of poverty” #aidcuts
As I meet people from aid agencies around the world this week I will be making the case for a radical simplification in how we do aid:
fewer countries,
fewer projects,
radically simpler programs.
It was key takeaway from my time in govt. Read why.
cgdev.org/blog/radical-simpl…
If men were losing the ability to have sex and procreate I think the world would take the #climatecrisis a bit more seriously telegraph.co.uk/global-healt…
People associate #climatechange in #Bangladesh with flooding and salinity but we are also affected by #drought. This week #womenfarmers told @BRACworld they need more access to water, training and better #climateinformation in order to adapt.
Isabel Siddique Whisson retweeted
We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Government of #Brazil and bring together key global actors to tackle #poverty through the socioeconomic inclusion sprint: bit.ly/40NwW4I #G20Brazil
Isabel Siddique Whisson retweeted
The @WorldBank 's IDA programme is one of the most efficient & effective aid programmes ever invented.
In December the world comes together to replenish its funds.
Today senior MPs have united to call for the UK lead from the front & to significantly boost our contribution!
See our letter to the Chancellor here 👇
Isabel Siddique Whisson retweeted
This image captures the situation in Adampur village, Kamalganj upazila of Moulvibazar district. Floodwaters have spread across Moulvibazar as well as Feni, Noakhali, Comilla, Khagrachari, Chattogram, and Habiganj. BRAC teams are already on the ground assessing the damage and providing emergency assistance.
BRAC has also convened a meeting with BRAC District Coordinators (BDCs) to coordinate disaster response efforts. Close communication is being maintained with field-level disaster management committees. Use of the emergency fund has been activated as well.
Our staff are actively involved in rescuing residents trapped in flooded areas and bringing them to shelters.
Special focus is being given to the most vulnerable, including children, pregnant women, lactating mothers, persons with disabilities, and the elderly.
Isabel Siddique Whisson retweeted
The High Court dismissed the writ seeking protection for agitating students, directing police to act per the Constitution.
I urged to protect unarmed people, and do not shoot students on sight. #HumanRights
bonikbarta.net/home/news_des…
Isabel Siddique Whisson retweeted
#Dhaka was at a standstill as thousands of demonstrators blocked key intersections, demanding justice for those killed in the quota reform movement.
Students, teachers, and guardians unite at Central Shaheed Minar to voice their demands.
Isabel Siddique Whisson retweeted
Bangladesh protesters return to the streets to demand PM’s removal — in pictures.
🔗: aje.io/iy4kwz
“The ICJ’s ruling must force a re-calibration of the west’s policies towards Israel’s violations of international law in occupied territory.” ft.com/content/dbc5901e-e6af…
Isabel Siddique Whisson retweeted
Trafalgar Square in London was filled to the brim w/ Bangladeshis demanding justice for the students killed in Bangladesh.
These protests follow similar diaspora led protests across Europe in Paris and Rome.
Isabel Siddique Whisson retweeted
Still no internet in Bangladesh. In Dhaka, people are said to be running out of cash as the ATMs aren’t working. Hearing A lot of fear, understandably, given how indiscriminately and callously people have been killed.
⚠️ Update: Metrics show #Bangladesh remains cut off three full days after authorities imposed a national Internet shutdown amid student protests.
The blackout continues despite a Supreme Court ruling to limit quotas, as protesters demand accountability for over a hundred deaths.

ALT Graph from NetBlocks showing the network connectivity in Bangladesh from July 13, 2024, to July 21, 2024. The y-axis represents normalized connectivity, ranging from 0% to 100%, and the x-axis represents the dates. Connectivity remains close to 100% until late July 18, 2024, when it sharply drops to around 10%, indicating a significant disruption in internet connectivity. The disruption continues through July 21, 2024. A red horizontal arrow labeled 'DISRUPTION' indicates the period of disruption. The graph background is dark, with green lines and text for connectivity data.



































