We support some 6,500 children in 9 projects in Bangladesh, where we have worked since 1971. Our projects are spread over the entire country and are run by our local partners, who have in-depth knowledge of the situation on the ground.
Bangladesh ranks among the world's poorest countries. Nearly half of the population lives below the poverty level. Many children are malnourished. The child mortality rate is high. What's more, too many girls and boys have to work instead of going to school. As a result of climate change, the country often suffers from floods and droughts. In southern Bangladesh, increasing soil salinity has caused a decline in agricultural productivity.
We primarily support disadvantaged children and increase the resilience of families to better cope with natural disasters. At the same time, we advocate for children's rights and strengthen civil society.
The educational situation in Bangladesh is precarious. Illiteracy rates, caused by inadequate schools and a lack of good teachers, are alarming. After completing the fifth grade, 70% of children cannot read or write, which often leaves impoverished girls and boys with no alternative but to start working at an early age.
We launched our work in Bangladesh following the country’s Declaration of Independence in 1971. Today, our projects focus on supporting street children, girls, women and entire communities as well as disaster risk reduction.
We are primarily committed to strengthening the rights of girls and women. Our projects help them organise themselves in self-help groups to collectively find a way out of poverty. Unmarried pregnant girls and women, who are at particular risk in Bangladesh, find refuge in special shelters.
By collaborating closely with our partners, we help children stand on their own two feet and get a good start to a life free from exploitation. Homes for boys and girls and vocational training centres teach children and young people important life skills like reading, writing and arithmetic. But they also learn manual skills that will help them find employment in the future. Our work in Bangladesh also includes street children.
We support rural development programmes, self-help groups for women and children, vocational training initiatives, homes for boys and girls, a project for unmarried pregnant girls and women, an institution for street children and a disaster risk reduction project.
Sources: Factbook, United Nations
