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Bangladesh
Why are we in Bangladesh? Bangladesh is one of the world’s most densely populated countries; home to over 160 million people in a country just over twice the size of Ireland. Though remarkable progress has been made in poverty reduction, mainly driven by unparalleled economic growth (with an annual growth rate of 6.9% between 2011 and 2019), there are still large pockets of poverty.
Extreme poverty persists in areas such as city slums and remote communities. Since 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted Bangladesh profoundly; as GDP growth decelerated and poverty increased.
Due to its topography and climate, Bangladesh is subject to multiple hazards including devastating cyclones: it is ranked first in the world in terms of vulnerability to tropical cyclones.
Roughly a quarter of Bangladesh's population is suffering from extremely high rates of malnutrition
Bangladesh remains vulnerable to food shortages with roughly a quarter of the population food insecure and suffering from high rates of malnutrition. The country faces significant challenges in adapting to the impacts of climate change.
The urban areas of Bangladesh are home to approximately 64 million people, and remain very challenging for those who live on the fringes of society. Vulnerability is caused not only by environmental and geographical factors, but also socio-economic; such as high dependence on agriculture, the ready-made garment (RMG) industry, population density, and poverty.
The Government of Bangladesh is hosting approximately one million Rohingya people who fled violence in Myanmar to Cox’s Bazar, in what has become the world’s largest refugee camp.
Latest achievements
Emergency response
Concern has been responding to floods caused by the monsoon rains and other shocks, such as fires and cyclones. Our programmes have built the resilience and adaptive capabilities of local communities in river and coastal areas. We have strengthened the flood forecasting and early warning system by facilitating impact-based forecasting to protect communities' assets and reduce damage.
Concern is one of the leading nutrition agencies in the Rohingya response. We are providing lifesaving and preventative nutrition services through our programmes to 17 camps and host communities in Cox’s Bazar. Concern provided lifesaving assistance to children under five years old, pregnant and lactating women to reduce malnutrition and improve health and well-being.
Urban development discourse
Health services
Bangladesh Strategic Plan 2022- 2026
Concern Worldwide Bangladesh’s Country Strategic Plan 2022- 2026 aims to contribute to bringing sustainable, positive changes in the lives of people living in extreme poverty in Bangladesh. We will achieve this through working on five particular pillars – ensuring sustained change from our programmes (predominantly in the health, nutrition and livelihoods sectors); climate change; humanitarian action; working through partnership; and equality, diversity and inclusion.
We deliver programmes following five strategic objectives, aligned with the Government priorities outlined in the 8th Five Year Plan of the Government and with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
Details of Concern's projects in Bangladesh can be found in the below document.
Halima Begum with her three-year-old son. Photo: Mohammad Rakibul Hasan/Concern Worldwide
Mohammad, a Rohingya refugee, standing in front of his garden. He received seeds and fertilizer from Concern harvests vegetables. Photo: Saikat Mojumde
In Bangladesh, we have collaborated with UNICEF, BRAC, WHO, USAID , Bangladesh Red Crescent, Biddyanondo Foundations to ensure vaccine for urban poor for preventing COVID-19.
In Bangladesh, we have collaborated with UNICEF, BRAC, WHO, USAID , Bangladesh Red Crescent, Biddyanondo Foundations to ensure vaccine for urban poor for preventing COVID-19.
Hasina's tailoring created income opportunities for her and access to financial services in Kurigram. Project: Empowering women and youth through Graduation and Financial Inclusion. Photo: Concern Worldwide
Our proud history in Bangladesh
We have been fighting extreme poverty in Bangladesh since 1972. For 50 years, we have worked with the most vulnerable people to reduce extreme poverty.
How we're helping Bangladesh
We are working hard to combat suffering and build resilience in Bangladesh. We are doing this by establishing programmes which will reduce poverty, respond to emergencies and improve health and nutrition.
Emergency response
Hunger and malnutrition
Reducing poverty
Latest from Bangladesh
Related Publications
Related reading
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