Communities rising: Tackling COVID-19 and building back better
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UNICEF strengthens key services and empowers underserved communities in Bangladesh's Gazipur District
Shirin Akhter, 35, starts her busy day at 5 am. After taking care of her household needs, she sets off to work at 8 am as a community volunteer for UNICEF partner Village Education Resource Centre (VERC).
Shirin works in Gazipur District, Bangladesh, home to almost 6 million people. Gazipur faces both urban and rural development challenges. The city is a major industrial hub for the garments industry but poor planning has led to the emergence of urban slums and environmental degradation, while Gazipur District is home to rural, agricultural communities, where many families experience poverty.