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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. 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.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, local workers have distributed over 570,300 food packs and over 711,133 hygiene kits to help families in poverty. Local partners have maintained regular contact with children and their caregivers during lockdown through home visits, small group gatherings and phone calls.
Without access to scanners, printers and the regular computers at their offices, local staff were not able to process letters between sponsored children and supporters as quickly. National courier services to deliver letters to children were also interrupted by the pandemic. Local staff are now able to access their offices in limited numbers on rotation and they are working hard to print, translate and process letters as quickly as they can.
Watch the latest video update from Bangladesh below to learn more.
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The situation
A flash flood has submerged approximately 657 kilometres of land in Sylhet and Suamganj, Bangladesh. Many Compassion assisted families have lost their livelihoods as a result of flood damage. Local people are unable to move from one place to another and, as a result, food and drinking water are scarce.
Global Compassion impact
Number of local partners affected: 2
Number of Compassion assisted children affected: 435
New information
Compassion has intervened to provide food packages for impacted families. The packages include rice, lentils and other basic supplies. Our local partners are in regular contact with the children and families to provide support where needed.
Prayer
Please pray for the families that have been impacted by the floods, particularly that caregivers will be able to return to work shortly.
The situation
Flash flooding in Bangladesh has resulted in many Compassion assisted families losing their livelihoods and shelter. Some cannot travel to work in flooded areas as roads have been submerged. Compassion Brazil is providing support for impacted families including food, water and shelter.
Global Compassion impact
Number of local partners affected: 2
Number of Compassion assisted children affected: 435
New information
Water levels in impacted areas have dropped significantly. Waterborne diseases have been reported among children and their families in the aftermath of floods. Our local partners are supporting the community in any way they can as impacted families recover from the damages.
Prayer
Please pray for the health and safety of those facing diseases in the aftermath of the floods. Pray also that people are able to return to work shortly.
The situation
On April 10th, 2022, a heavy hailstorm caused damage in Khamar Senua, Bangladesh. Many homes were damaged due to the storm. Local workers have been assessing the impacts to these families and offering spiritual and physical support.
Global Compassion impact
Number of local church partners affected: 1
Number of Compassion assisted children affected: 125
New information
According to a new survey count, 125 families have been impacted by the storm and local partners are working with these families to assess damages. Unfortunately, Compassion activities have been stopped due to roof damage. Local partners are planning to provide wages and materials needed to repair the homes of affected families.
Prayer
Please pray that child development centre activities can resume soon and that impacted children feel peace in their circumstance.
Thank you for praying for staff, children and families in Bangladesh.
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 basic 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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