VARD is a national non-government organization established in 1988 with the aim of improving the lives of poor, vulnerable, and marginalized communities across Bangladesh. Through integrated development programs, VARD works to expand opportunities, strengthen community resilience, and ensure access to essential services. This page presents what we do, program by program.

We deliver affordable, high-quality eye care to prevent avoidable blindness and improve quality of life.  

Our Work Includes:

• Operating four full-service eye hospitals and one primary eye care centre
• Diagnosis and treatment of all major eye conditions
• Cataract surgeries (including free IOL surgeries for poor patients)
• Phaco & SICS surgeries
• Pediatric and adult vision correction
• Specialized laser treatments (YAG, PI)
• DCR, DCT, Pterygium and other surgeries
• Comprehensive diagnostic tests
• Spectacle services, model pharmacy, and patient support facilities

 Our approach emphasizes low-cost, high-quality services, gender-separate wards, modern operation theatres, trained specialists, and full patient support (accommodation, food, medicine where applicable).

The major portions of VARD working areas are in low-lying, haor-basin, mushy and beneath -hill which are commonly affected by floods & flashes while there are heavy rainfalls. Considering the situation, VARD is providing services to the community people for disaster risk reduction through awareness buildup, relief and rehabilitation to the victims of natural calamities such as floods, water logging, cyclone, heavy rains, earthquake and draughts. Therefore, the ultimate goal of the DRRP is to reduce disaster risks through active participation of community people and compensate the victims to restart their livelihoods again.  

Major activities of DRRP are;

• Community awareness raising on disaster risk reduction and management, 
• Provide training on disaster management and preparedness,
• Build up awareness on earthquake, 
• Organize volunteers groups for search and rescue, 
• Mass awareness on risk reduction and motivational measures, 
• Provide supports for  agriculture rehabilitation, 
• Organize medical campaign to provide emergency medical services, 
• Provide supports for tub-well repair and sanitation re-installation, 
• Cash grant distribution, 
• Relief distribution,
• Provide supports for infrastructure repair and maintenance.

Education Program (EP)

We improve access to education for children, adolescents, and adults who have limited or no access to formal schooling.

• Non-Formal Primary Education (NFPE)
• Life-skills development for adolescents
• Shishu Bikas Kendra
• Strengthening SMCs and PTAs
• Legal and rights education
• Youth and adolescent forums
• Reintegration support for school dropouts
• Advocacy for child and women rights

Economic & Livelihood Development Program (ELDP)

We support economic empowerment and poverty reduction by helping people build skills, generate income, and access financial services. 

Our Core Activities:

• Formation of Peoples Organizations, CBOs and SHGs
• Livelihood and vocational training
• Microfinance services
• Small and micro-enterprise development
• Group savings mobilization
• Local resource utilization
• Business planning and feasibility support
• Linking entrepreneurs with financial institutions
• Women empowerment and rights awareness

Our goal is to promote sustainable income, entrepreneurship, and economic independence—especially for women and landless families.

Health, Nutrition & Population Program (HNPP)

We deliver community-based and clinic-based services to improve overall health, family planning, and nutrition.

Key Areas of Work:

• Maternal health care and safe delivery
• Child health care and immunization
• Nutrition education
• Family planning services
• Treatment of common illnesses
• Management of RTI, STI, HIV/AIDS
• Communicable disease control (TB, malaria, kalazar, leprosy)
• Ambulance services
• Promotion of safe water and sanitation

We also raise awareness to improve health-seeking behavior and reduce preventable health risks.

Agriculture & Environment Program (AEP) 

We promote sustainable agriculture practices to improve food security, income, and ecological balance.

• Training on sustainable agriculture technologies
• Crop diversification and market linkage
• Social forestry and homestead gardening
• Land reform and proper land use
• Nutrition education via household agriculture
• Village nurseries and poultry promotion
• Climate change adaptation
• Environmental conservation and wildlife protection
• Alternative income generation for wetland communities

Our Geographic Footprint

VARD works in 54 Upazilas across 7 districts in Sylhet and Chittagong divisions, serving landless, destitute, and vulnerable populations in challenging terrains such as haor basins, marshlands, and hilly regions.

Our Guiding Principles

Across all our programs, we emphasize:

• Equity and gender sensitivity
• Sustainability
• Community participation
• Environmental protection
• Accountability and transparency