Habitat For Humanity

METLIFE VOLUNTEERS SWEAT TO REBUILD HOMES IN HABITAT FOR HUMANITY’S WOMENS DAY 2019 SPECIAL BUILD

Dhaka, March 08, 2019

Employee volunteers from MetLife Bangladesh worked with Habitat for Humanity Bangladesh, to help rebuild houses for four families in Gazipur, on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2019. Habitat for Humanity organized a Women Build where female students, and various professionals joined together to rebuild four MetLife Foundation-funded houses for families who are in need of decent housing.

MetLife volunteers worked alongside Habitat Young Leaders Build volunteers from youth groups and students in public and private universities and colleges – all helped out in moving and crushing bricks, soiling, mixing cement with bricks and laying them to construct houses together with the community. The whole day was spent rebuilding houses and discussing the importance of having a clean and healthy environment. Other activities include discussions around  how women’s education and women’s participation as professionals in the workforce can lead to financial empowerment and a better future.

John Armstrong, National Director of Habitat for Humanity Bangladesh said, “Working together with MetLife to mark International Women’s Day, we recognize the need to empower women to take an active part in creating housing solutions that will help remove barriers to a better, healthier, and more financially stable life. With  support, women can achieve the strength, stability and independence that they need to build a better future for themselves and their families.

MetLife Foundation has worked closely with Habitat for Humanity on a number of projects in various countries across Asia. In 2018, more than 8000 MetLife volunteers contributed over 25,000 hours across 9 countries in Asia. 

MetLife (NYSE: MET) also has become the 24th company and first insurer to join the UN Women Global Innovation Coalition for Change. The Coalition is a dynamic partnership between UN Women and key representatives from the private sector, academia, and not-for-profit institutions focused on developing the innovation market to work better for women and to accelerate the achievement of gender equality and women’s empowerment.

The announcement was made at an International Women’s Day forum at MetLife’s headquarters in New York City.

“Being asked to join the UN Women Global Initiation Coalition for Change is a testament to MetLife’s commitment to diversity and inclusion and to developing innovative solutions that create opportunities for everyone,” said Michel Khalaf, President, U.S. Business and EMEA and incoming MetLife CEO. “We look forward to working with the Coalition to drive greater impact for women around the world.”

More information about MetLife’s commitment to diversity and inclusion can be found on MetLife’s Diversity & Inclusion page at https://www.metlife.com/diversity , and at the International Women’s Day website at https://www.internationalwomensday.com/MetLife. News and updates about International Women’s Day 2019 can be found using the hashtag #innovateforchange

About MetLife Bangladesh

MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), through its subsidiaries and affiliates (“MetLife”), is one of the world’s leading financial services companies, providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to help its individual and institutional customers navigate their changing world. Founded in 1868, MetLife has operations in more than 40 countries, and holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

MetLife’s story in Asia can be traced back to Bangladesh when operations first began in 1952. Currently MetLife Bangladesh is the largest life insurer in the country. It serves over a million customers and is a major employer in Bangladesh with about 16,000 field force and employees.To learn more, please visit: www.metlife.com.bd

About MetLife Foundation

MetLife Foundation was created in 1976 to continue MetLife’s long tradition of corporate contributions and community involvement. Since its founding through the end of 2017, MetLife Foundation has provided more than $783 million in grants and $70 million in program-related investments to organizations addressing issues that have a positive impact in their communities. In 2013, the Foundation committed $200 million to financial inclusion, and our work to date has reached more than 3.5 million low-income individuals in 42 countries. To learn more about MetLife Foundation, visit www.metlife.org  

MetLife Foundation supports several financial inclusion initiatives in Bangladesh which have already reached more than 44,000 low income individuals and we are aiming to reach a significantly higher number of people as the programs scale.

About Habitat for Humanity

Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort. The housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in more than 70 countries. In the Asia-Pacific region since 1983, Habitat for Humanity has supported more than 3.5 million people to build or improve a place they can call home. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower.

About Habitat for Humanity Bangladesh

Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort. The organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in more than 70 countries. Habitat for Humanity Bangladesh began operation in 1999. As a branch of Habitat for Humanity International, it currently operates in nine project locations across the country, aiming to break the cycle of poverty related to poorly-constructed homes and inadequate shelter. To date, around 13,000 low-income Bangladeshi families have partnered with Habitat to improve their housing, water, sanitation, and general living conditions. Approximately 300,000 people have also received training in microfinance, training to improve water and sanitation, appropriate construction technologies, and disaster response and mitigation. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, donate or volunteer, visit www.habitatbangladesh.org