Barisal Unnyon Sangstha (BUS) is a non-governmental, non-profit development organization that was founded in 1995 committed to improving the socio-economic conditions of disadvantaged and vulnerable communities in the Barishal region of Bangladesh. Since its establishment, BUS has worked with dedication to promote sustainable development, social justice, and community empowerment through a range of development initiatives focused on child protection, women’s empowerment, education, health, livelihoods, youth development, disaster risk reduction, and climate resilience.
Since its inception, BUS has been working across the southern coastal region of Bangladesh, particularly in the Barishal Division, one of the country’s most climate-vulnerable and disaster-prone areas. The organization was founded with a vision to provide humanitarian, socio-economic, and rights-based support to disadvantaged populations affected by poverty, river erosion, climate change, social exclusion, gender inequality, and recurring natural disasters.
BUS places special emphasis on protecting adolescent girls and vulnerable women from child marriage, gender-based violence, exploitation, trafficking, and social discrimination. Through community awareness campaigns, adolescent groups, life-skills education, parental engagement, and economic empowerment initiatives, BUS works to create safer and more inclusive communities where girls can continue their education, develop leadership skills, and participate in decision-making processes with dignity and confidence.
The coastal communities where BUS operates continue to face severe challenges, including river erosion, landlessness, unemployment, unsafe sanitation, lack of access to education and healthcare, food insecurity, and forced migration to urban slums. Women and children are disproportionately affected by these crises, often becoming victims of early marriage, child labor, abuse, and social exploitation.
In response to these realities, BUS adopts an integrated, community-driven approach that combines humanitarian assistance, resilience-building, capacity development, and sustainable livelihood support. The organization strongly believes that empowering women, adolescents, and vulnerable families is essential for long-term social transformation and poverty reduction.
Vision:
A society free from exploitation, inequality, and oppression where every individual can live in peace, dignity, justice, and harmony while exercising their rightful opportunities and participation in society.
Mission:
To empower poor and vulnerable people, especially women, adolescents, and marginalized communities, through capacity building, education, sustainable livelihood opportunities, social protection, local resource mobilization, and rights-based development initiatives implemented by skilled, experienced, and committed professionals.
Md Shafiqul Islam
Executive Director, Founder
