Under the leadership of Honourable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Ashrayan Project was first introduced in 1997. ‘Ashrayan’ is a Bengali word that stands for ‘accommodation’ or ‘house’ in English. Honourable Prime Minister in her continuous effort to transform this country into ‘Sonar Bangla (Golden Bangladesh)’ and materialize the dream of Bangabandhu, harnessed all her resources to ensure basic needs of her people as enshrined in the holy constitution of Bangladesh since her empowerment for the first time. A small pilot project gradually turned into a large scale priority project of the Government in order to provide shelter to the homeless and landless people and gradually make them self dependent to contribute in national economy. The project is also aligned with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) and Vision 2021 in terms of ‘Poverty Alleviation’. Through this project, Bangladeshhas demonstrated its leadership in sheltering families displaced by climate related calamities too. Honourable Prime Minister in her bid to strengthening this project, rightly introduced Bangladesh Armed Forces to capitalize its organizational capability, resourcefulness and above all commitment for the country.Armed Forces Division is the apex military organization to implement this project in coordination with Prime Minister’s office. ‘Project Section’ of Operations and Plans Directorate of this Division works as the focal point to coordinate between different Ministries and Services Headquarters.

Ashrayan Project-1

In 1997, due to the aftermathof a tornedo in coastal areas, ‘Ashrayan Project-1’ was planned for the distressed people entirely funded by Government of Bangladesh (GoB).The project duration was from 1997 to 2010 and implemented successfully.

Statistic of barracks (each barrack comprises 5-10 units) constructed by Armed Forces of Bangladesh under ‘Ashrayan Project-1’ is as follows:

 

Financial Year	BarracksConstructed by Bangladesh Army	BarracksConstructed by Bangladesh Navy
1997-1998	520	4
1998-1999	1233	-
1999-2000	1099	55
2000-2001	1275	64
2001-2002	595	-
2002-2006	3038	944
2006-2007	776	373
2007-2008	22	206
2008-2009	114	45
2009-2010	24	16
Total	8,696	1,707

 

Ashrayan Project-2

 

Following the successful completion, Ashrayan Project-2was started as a part of ‘In Aid to Civil Power’. Project duration is from July, 2010 to June, 2022. In this project, Bangladesh Navy wasmade responsible to implement Ashrayan in coastal areas i.e. Barguna, Barishal, Bhola, Jhalokathi, Patuakhali, Pirojpur district and Sandwip, Hatia, Mongla, Moheskhali, Kutubdia, Teknaf Upazila. Bangladesh Army was responsible for rest of the areas of Bangladesh. With the passage of time design and construction materials of the Asrayan Project changed significantly. With a humble beginning of the corrugated tin shed house, now Government is providing brick constructed houses and even multistoried buildings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture 1: Old design (left) of Corrugated Tin Shed House and new design of Brick Constructed Houses under Ashrayan Project

Statistic of barracks (each barrack comprises 5-10 units) constructed by Armed Forces of Bangladesh under ‘Ashrayan Project-2’ is as follows:

 

Financial Year	BarracksConstructed by Bangladesh Army	BarracksConstructed by Bangladesh Navy
2010-2011	1156	196
2011-2012	901	161
2012-2013	825	207
2013-2014	932	226
2014-2015	472	52
2015-2016	853	306
2016-2017	654	101
2017-2018	501	181
2018-2019	433	72
2019-2020	On going	On going
Total	7863	2305

 

 

 

Ashrayan Project-3

GoB has planned to provide temporary shelter to ‘Forcefully Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMN)’ at Vashanchar area of Noakhali districtunder Ashrayan Project-3. Once FDMNs will return to their own country safely, the place will be used for rehabilitating distressed people of Bangladesh. Presently Bangladesh Navy is implementing this mega project to accommodate 1,03,200 (one lac three thousand and two hundred) people. It has modern facilities like electricity through solar panels and generators, water pumps, flood shelters, community clinics, schools, super shops, masjid, warehouse, helipad, mobile towers, asphalt (paka) roads, tracks etc. this is one of the finest camp in the globe for the displaced nationals. The project is expected to be completed by 2020.

 

 

 

 

 

 

                        

Picture 2: Aerial view of Ashrayan    Project -3 at Vashanchar area

 

Khurushkul Special Ashrayan Project

‘Khurushkul Special Ashrayan Project’hasstartedas a part of ‘Ashrayan Project-2’ at Cox’s Bazar. While extending Cox’s Bazar Airfield into International Airport, 4,409 homeless climate hitfamilieswere identified in and around that area who were planned to be rehabilitated at Khurushkul Mouza, near Bakkhali river of Cox’s Bazar Sadar Upazila. Bangladesh Government provided 253.35 acres of land and decided to construct 139 - five storied buildings with modern facilities for them. Bangladesh Army took over the responsibility toimplement the project in May, 2017 and likely to complete by September, 2021. Project will be completely funded by GoB.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture 3: Khurushkul Project area

 

On 23 July 2020, Honourable Prime Minister of Bangladesh has inaugurated 19-five storied buildings of the project (1st phase) and handed over the same to 600 families. This is for the first time in the history of ‘Ashrayan Project’ where ‘Climate Refugees’ and land/shelter less people are provided multistoried buildings with modern facilities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture 4: Inauguration of the project (1st phase) by Honourable Prime Minister (left) and constructed building in the Khurushkul project area

 

Since 1997 Ashrayan project has materialized long coveted dream of millions of homeless people of Bangladesh through providing beautifully constructed houses. Honourable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Government remains as a source of inspiration for all such people and they are oath bound to provide shelters for all homeless people. Bangladesh Armed Forces with all its endeavor always stands ready and reaffirms its strong commitment to uphold and implement any government decision whenever and wherever it will be called for. Bangladesh Armed Forces is honoured and delighted to be part of this project.