Bangladesh has experienced varying levels of lockdown and quarantine restrictions throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools, churches and other community centres remained closed for a significant period of time to prevent the spread of the virus. The nation’s vaccination drive began in January 2021. One of the biggest issues facing the Bangladeshi population throughout the pandemic has been food insecurity, with many families losing their source of income completely. Cyclone Amphan, which struck the southern coast of Bangladesh in May 2020, was a devastating challenge for families already living through the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Local partners have maintained regular contact with children and their caregivers during lockdown through home visits and phone calls. They have adapted program support to be small-group or home-based, and delivered food packs, hygiene kits, medical support and some educational resources to families.
Watch the latest video update from Bangladesh below to learn more.
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Thank you for praying for children and families in Bangladesh who have been impacted by COVID-19—and the local staff who continue to serve them in difficult circumstances.
In the northern villages of Bangladesh, the communal pond is a favourite for locals who use its waters to wash clothes, water rice fields and bathe cattle. And for teens such as 15-year-old Basudeb, it’s the only spot to take a dip with friends to find relief from the roasting heat. But since the COVID-19 pandemic hit and social distancing became essential, accessing the once popular communal pond proved to be risky. Read more open_in_new
Please note: Due to the current pandemic, some child development centres in Bangladesh are operating differently to abide by local restrictions and guidelines. Local partners continue to meet the urgent needs of the children through home-based care or by meeting in small groups.
Compassion’s program is contextualised across countries and communities, as well as age groups.
Compassion assisted children in Bangladesh typically attend program activities at their local child development centre before school and occasionally on Saturdays. Here is an example of what a typical program day looks like for children in Bangladesh.
8:00am – A time for songs, games and introductions.
10:30am – Break time, when children can play in a safe environment and develop friendships.
11:00am – Social-emotional lessons ranging from conflict resolution to developing healthy self-esteem. Children often come from challenging home environments and are taught social and personal skills.
12:00pm – Lunch and social time. Children generally receive a meal five days a week. The meals typically consist of rice and lentils with vegetables, fish, eggs, chicken or potatoes.
1:00pm – Health lessons, in which children learn practical health and hygiene lessons.
2:00pm – Letter writing and career planning. Older children work with local staff to identify their strengths and interests and set goals for their future.
Children are also encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities, such as singing, dance, drawing and drama. Children play outdoor games such as football, cricket and volleyball. Parents of Compassion assisted children meet once a month to learn a variety of topics.
of people live below the poverty line
of people lack access to improved sanitation
of people over 15 cannot read or write
Formerly East Pakistan, Bangladesh was born out of conflict in the region and founded in its modern form in 1971.
A predominantly Muslim nation, it’s one of the world’s most densely populated countries, with more than 160 million people living in a land area roughly two-thirds the size of Victoria. Most of the land is low-lying delta and is vulnerable to flooding. Bangladesh is also regularly affected by tropical storms and heavy monsoonal rain that contributes to these flood events.
Most of the population relies on farming to make a living, with agriculture accounting for almost half of the country’s economy. Major crops include rice, jute and tea. Farming is growing increasingly difficult as rising seas destroy farmland in low-lying areas, inundating and salting the land and making it unfit for crops.
In recent years, urban areas—especially Dhaka, the capital—have experienced a population surge as many rural communities have found life increasingly difficult in their hometowns.
This has led to the growth of urban slums around major cities, as families come looking for safer ground on which to build a home and the prospect of work to build a life. But in these slums, children are more vulnerable to malnutrition, child labour, child marriage, violence, abuse, poor sanitation and pollution.
Despite a government focus on education and healthcare in recent years, the poorest families struggle to get access to the classroom or to a doctor. Around 15 per cent of the population lives in extreme poverty (less than US$1.90 per day) and around 85 per cent live on less than US$5.50 per day.
Yet local partners are at work, serving the children of their communities and sharing a hope more powerful than poverty.
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Super-cyclone Amphan—the Bay of Bengal’s fiercest storm this century—trampled everything in its path as it reached the coast of southern Bangladesh. Over 300,000 homes were damaged or destroyed, 26 people lost their lives and the livelihoods of 1 million more were impacted... Read more
We’d like to introduce you to six inspiring girls (some now grown into amazing women) who have endured adversity and whose stories will challenge you to live your best life. .. Read more
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted Bangladesh in a significant manner. According to the World Bank, in addition to the impact on health, the country’s GDP growth decelerated and poverty increased... Read more