Urban Community Development (UCD)
The Urban Community Development Programme (UCD) is the oldest programme of the DSS. Initially community based social work has started with this programme. Just after British regime in 1947, the country faced huge social problems especially in urban areas. A high degree of poverty, illiteracy, ill-health, limited resources, the great influx of refugees from India, lack of employment opportunity and social prejudice were the common problems for the nation. Problems of housing, sanitation, health, education, recreation, and unemployment problems were cropped up in communities, making people poorer and more distressed. The planners and social thinkers could foresee the resultant proliferation of lawlessness, dependency, and its effect on economic development. To overcome these problems social thinkers initiated social service activities especially in urban areas which is at last shaped as the Urban Community Development Programme.
The Community Development Programme has gained wide appreciation from both the private and the Government sector, because of its various programmes like family planning, skill training and adult education. This led to the birth of 12 more Urban Community projects during 1959-60. By the year 1982 a total of 80 UCD units were established in the country. However, the Government policy had changed later and the number of UCD units was reduced to 43 units. The DSS has extended its services to 80 units again in 80 towns of the country in the year 2002.
Objectives of UCD
Identify the problems and needs through survey and improve the environmental condition of the slum dwellers
Provide vocational training facilities and interest free micro-credit at the rate of 2000 to 5000 BDT for self employment of the poor for the slum dwellers
Organize programme for children in difficult circumstances for their education, health, training and socio-economic development
Provide primary medicare and family planning assistance
Motivate the immigrants from village to go back to their paternal houses
Co-ordinate among the slum dwellers and the service oriented organizations/ institutions
Build up local leadership and formation of Project Co-ordination Council and Initiate welfare programme making a balance between need and resources
The total amount of seed money of these programmes stand as Tk 66.8 million. The amount of cumulative fund has increased equivalent to Tk.1572 million through reinvestment and the number of beneficiaries is 91,969 families.
The Community Development Programme has gained wide appreciation from both the private and the Government sector, because of its various programmes like family planning, skill training and adult education. This led to the birth of 12 more Urban Community projects during 1959-60. By the year 1982 a total of 80 UCD units were established in the country. However, the Government policy had changed later and the number of UCD units was reduced to 43 units. The DSS has extended its services to 80 units again in 80 towns of the country in the year 2002.
Objectives of UCD
Identify the problems and needs through survey and improve the environmental condition of the slum dwellers
Provide vocational training facilities and interest free micro-credit at the rate of 2000 to 5000 BDT for self employment of the poor for the slum dwellers
Organize programme for children in difficult circumstances for their education, health, training and socio-economic development
Provide primary medicare and family planning assistance
Motivate the immigrants from village to go back to their paternal houses
Co-ordinate among the slum dwellers and the service oriented organizations/ institutions
Build up local leadership and formation of Project Co-ordination Council and Initiate welfare programme making a balance between need and resources
The total amount of seed money of these programmes stand as Tk 66.8 million. The amount of cumulative fund has increased equivalent to Tk.1572 million through reinvestment and the number of beneficiaries is 91,969 families.
Developed By Md. Sadikur Rahman, Social Services Officer, Urban Social Services Office, Nilphamari, Bangladesh.
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]