Since 2020, the world has turned upside down while facing the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite every country living through the same traumatic experience, the consequences were not the same for everyone. Especially developing and underdeveloped countries took a harder hit from the pandemic than any developed nations. The pandemic did destroy not only global health but also disrupted the national economy, education system, social values and more. Even after national recovery, some failed to recover from the unforgettable past on a personal level which included losing loved ones, unemployment, hunger, health deficiency and so on. For example, in some cases, women were more likely to stop working after the pandemic, and low-skilled workers were more likely to lose their jobs than more educated workers. Notably, COVID-19’s impact on Bangladesh raised many domestic and global concerns. Here are four facts about COVID-19’s impact on Bangladesh.

4 Facts About COVID-19’s Impact on Bangladesh

1. Social-emotional Health: In recent months, even developed nations have faced a declining social-emotional health rate across all age groups. Similarly, one of COVID-19’s impacts on Bangladesh was decreasing mental health due to stress, misinformation, economic instability and isolation. For example, federal and local lockdowns put many Bengali communities through an emotional and financial roller coaster. Fear of losing loved ones, jobs and food sources, and staying isolated has increased worry, anxiety, trauma, panic and more.
2. Local Economic Status: Small to medium-sized businesses went bankrupt, which led to mass unemployment and sometimes ended in separations or family arguments. Many day laborers who were also the only householders in their families lost their jobs for months. Some of these families lost their only food source, rent, bills and the money for pilled up debts. Consequently, many young adults have chosen self-harm and sometimes even suicide as a chance to escape their harsh and helpless reality.
3. A Lack of Federal Support: Bangladesh is one of the overpopulated and fastest-growing countries in the world. The population growth rate is not parallel enough to the government programs, which included social support during the pandemic. Most in-need families with young children and low-skilled workers were the greatest victims of this crisis.
4. Declining Physical Health: One transparent impact that COVID-19 had on Bangladeshi residents was the development of health issues. Many outgoing people like students, workers and shopping mall visitors lost their only chance to be active during the day. Students and workers who once had a sleeping and working schedule lost their sense of routine and developed many bad habits. These bad habits included sleeping for long hours during the day, losing sleep after midnight, spending too much time on social media, not participating in any physical activities, losing social interaction, etc.

Solutions

Like many other countries, COVID-19’s impact on Bangladesh was unthinkable. The severity of COVID-19’s impact on Bangladesh gradually disintegrated due to much foreign support and social unity. One of the most significant foreign support was from the United States. The U.S. has provided Bangladesh with more than $96 million. These aids included 5.5 million doses of the Moderna vaccine, medical supplies, ventilators, oxygen equipment, pulse oximeters and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Moreover, since the start of the pandemic also the World Bank has provided about $3 billion to Bangladesh, which has been effective in improving the emergency health response, the private sector, creating jobs, boosting human capital development and more. Besides foreign aid, the Bangladesh government also took many precautions and strict domestic policies to reduce the spread as much as possible. Some remarkable actions from the government were closing the government buildings, offices, schools and universities, prohibiting social gatherings and canceling federal holiday celebrations.

In the end, COVID-19’s impact on Bangladesh was traumatizing. However, it also showed people how vulnerability can spread through a nation in a short time period. The government and its people learned to be patient, understanding and generous to each other. COVID-19’s impact on Bangladesh did not stop yet, but the world has seen a great deal of recovery from the country.