Established in 1972 to assist with relief and rehabilitation of greater Rangpur-Dinajpur region immediately following the War of Independence, the RDRS programme evolved into a sectoral then comprehensive effort. Formerly the Bangladesh field programme of the Geneva-based Lutheran World Federation/Department for World Service, RDRS became a national development organisation in 1997. RDRS is now providing its development support to around 2,000,000 people in 13 districts in Bangladesh.