Tag Archive for: Poverty In Bangladesh

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Controlling Noncommunicable Diseases in Bangladesh

Noncommunicable Diseases in BangladeshNoncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death in Bangladesh. In 2019, NCDs, including cancers, diabetes, cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases, accounted for 70% of mortality in the country. NCDs derive from genetic, environmental and behavioral factors, meaning a person’s lifestyle impacts their likelihood of diagnosis.

Air pollution in Bangladesh contributes to the rise of cardiovascular illnesses and chronic respiratory diseases, where heart disease, strokes and asthma impact individuals’ physical health. Unhealthy lifestyles, diet and physical inactivity are also causes of NCDs like cancer and diabetes. These ongoing causes and burdens have mobilized the government to work toward controlling NCDs in Bangladesh.

Health Discrimination

Health surveys from 2011 to 2018 have shown that socioeconomic disparities are connected to the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes and overweight and obesity. For example, those who work in manual labor in Bangladesh are more exposed to air pollution, increasing the incidence of hypertension and obesity. Conversely, economic growth has led to more processed, readily available and low-cost foods available to poor people. Unhealthy diets also contribute to high NCD prevalence in poorer communities in the country.

Moreover, NCD services are costly and access to proper care is far less attainable for people experiencing poverty. These chronic conditions require long-term care and jeopardize patients’ financial stability with medical expenditures. In 2021, the country allocated 2.36% of its gross domestic product to health expenditure. Out-of-pocket spending accounts for a 68.5% share of health expenditure. Dependence on out-of-pocket spending causes financial distress, especially among vulnerable families.

The Plan

Bangladesh’s Multisectoral Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs 2018-2025 commits to address these diseases and improve the health care system. The operation plan’s success requires four courses of action that are conducive to controlling noncommunicable diseases in Bangladesh.

  • Action area 1: Advocacy, leadership and partnerships.
  • Action area 2: Promotion and risk reduction.
  • Action area 3: Health systems strengthening for early detection and management of NCDs and their risk factors.
  • Action Area 4: Surveillance, monitoring and research.

Successes since 2018

Through partnerships, the country has made significant progress in creating a strong foundation for NCD prevention and control. The collaboration between 30 ministries and agencies was one notable success. In the 2022 first National NCDs Conference in Bangladesh, national and international stakeholders assembled to discuss NCD prevention and control strategies and established the Dhaka Declaration, 32 steps to combat NCDs. This declaration furthered the Multisectoral plan’s goal of controlling tobacco, alcohol and indoor air pollution and promoting physical activity and healthy diets.

NCD Corners in health complexes have also been developed across the country, increasing access to care. These corners facilitate early detection and management of common NCDs, even in rural areas. By October 2022, 6,231 patients were treated for high blood pressure and 1,386 for diabetes through these corners. The National Heart Foundation Bangladesh has also reported an increase in hypertension control across the country’s administrative districts. For instance, in Kualara, from May 2022 to October 2022, the number of patients with controlled hypertension rose by 15%, from 55%,  with the assistance of NCD corners. These corners are located in community health centers and primary health care facilities, providing easy access for all population groups.

Furthermore, progress has been made in developing policies to control shared risk factors of NCDs. To promote healthy diets, the country has imposed taxation on domestically produced sugar-sweetened beverages. First, there is a 15% value-added tax and then a 25% supplementary duty for carbonated drinks and 35% for energy drinks. Taxes on unhealthy items help reduce consumption and the prevalence of obesity and other NCDs can decrease.

Ongoing Efforts

There is still more to be done. Taxation is effective in controlling Bangladesh’s tobacco problem. In the fiscal years 2024 and 2025, the government strives for a 66% increase in the tax rate on cigarettes and tobacco products. This change factors in indoor pollution control as tobacco smoke inside homes exposes nonsmokers to smoking and poor air quality.

The plan further addresses health financing and expenditure. In the fiscal year 2024, the country increased its federal budget allocation for health by 9%. However, this improvement had little effect on the country’s health care quality. Bangladesh’s Multisectoral plan proposes financial risk protection through:

  • Accessing NCD services without upfront costs.
  • Integrating essential services at district and lower levels, including an annual NCD voucher system with minimal costs.
  • Adjusting the fee structure if other strategies cannot be implemented.

By prioritizing these strategies, Bangladesh can look toward a healthier future for all its citizens, ensuring equitable access to quality health care.

Conclusion

Noncommunicable diseases continue to impact mortality and quality of life in Bangladesh. However, Bangladesh’s Multisectoral plan has successfully coordinated efforts across various sectors to control NCDs. Collaboration, policies, regulations and initiatives for enhancing accessibility remain conducive to these goals.

– Caroline Albright

Caroline is based in Milton, MA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Recycling Waste in Bangladesh

Recycling Waste in BangladeshBangladesh, located in South Asia, is home to more than 170 million people. The capital, Dhaka, has seen its population rise to 9 million. This rapid urbanization, along with an expanding middle class and a robust manufacturing sector, has led to a significant increase in plastic waste production. Each year, the country generates approximately 977,000 tonnes of plastic waste, with a substantial portion originating from Dhaka. A World Bank Blogs report indicates that the average resident of Dhaka produces 22.5 kg of plastic waste annually, a figure that is expected to rise as the city’s population continues to grow.

Health Risks of Waste Disposal

As the volume of plastic waste continues to grow, Dhaka’s recycling sector is increasingly struggling to process it sustainably. While Dhaka’s recycling industry employs approximately 5,400 people, it is a relatively informal sector, exposing many workers to hazardous conditions without effective health protection. Without funding or support, the increasing volumes of waste can potentially overwhelm the current recycling systems. As a result, much of this waste ends up in landfills and into rivers, putting the cities’ population at risk of poor health. The ingestion of microplastics and the contamination of water and soil link to increased dengue fever cases, which claimed 327 lives over seven months in 2023. This crisis strains local health systems and disproportionately affects the poorest citizens, who struggle to afford necessary medical treatments.

Recycling Waste in Bangladesh

Recognizing the strain that escalating plastic waste places on its infrastructure and citizens, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Environment formulated a National Action Plan for Sustainable Plastic Management. This initiative targets a 50% increase in recycling waste in Bangladesh by 2025 and aims to cut overall plastic consumption by 2030. The plan underscores the adoption of a circular economy to mitigate the hazardous impacts of waste disposal. By enhancing recycling efforts initially and subsequently addressing the fundamental issue of excessive plastic usage, this strategy aims to alleviate waste-related health risks across the nation.

Micro-Enterprises in Bangladesh

While government initiatives address large-scale waste management by implementing policies, the real momentum often comes from grassroots efforts. A recent World Bank Blogs report reveals the work of many entrepreneurs who prioritize recycling plastic waste in their small businesses. With support from the World Bank’s Sustainable Enterprises project (SEP), Md Jashim Uddin, a micro-entrepreneur, for example, recycles waste from local shoe factories to produce new footwear. This small-scale circular economic model not only mitigates environmental impact but also enhances local health conditions by reducing pollution and creating new jobs with improved working conditions.

Looking Ahead

Bangladesh faces the escalating issue of plastic waste as urbanization and industrial growth continue. Government initiatives aim to boost recycling rates and reduce plastic use, while grassroots efforts and micro-enterprises contribute to waste management and environmental health. These combined strategies can potentially improve public health and achieve sustainable development. Ongoing dedication to innovative solutions and effective waste management could be vital for Bangladesh’s future.

– Aimee Masters

Aimee is based in London, UK and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Remittance to Bangladesh

Remittance to BangladeshIn recent years, remittances have become one of the primary economic contributors in recipient countries. Remittances are money transfers that international migrants send to their families in their home countries. In 2022, these money transfers to low- and middle-income countries were $647 billion. Remittance to Bangladesh has become a vital economic pillar, for a country of 171 million people.

Bangladesh’s Standing in Global Remittance

According to the World Migration Report, Bangladesh ranked as the eighth-highest recipient of remittances globally and third-highest in South Asia. In 2022, the country received a staggering $21.5 billion inflow of remittance. It is a major source of economic growth and development for Bangladesh, contributing 4.7% to the country’s GDP.

Overview of the Remittance Sector

Since independence, migration has been a significant factor in improving living standards and reducing poverty and unemployment in Bangladesh. With a huge young population and an increasing unemployment rate, many citizens have taken short-term jobs abroad.

In 2023, a record 1.3 million individuals left the country for overseas work, and many others have unregistered contracts. These migrations are mostly for unskilled or semi-skilled work.  The government aims to send an additional 1 million migrants to various countries, expanding the diaspora and increasing inward remittances by creating an “overseas employment market expansion roadmap.”

Economic and Social Factors

A mix of economic and social factors influences migration patterns from Bangladesh. Economically, many Bangladeshis migrate to escape poverty, seeking better job opportunities abroad due to limited prospects at home. The country’s high population and limited job market create pressure on local employment, pushing people to look for work in countries with higher labor demand. Socially, the desire to improve living standards and provide better education and health care for their families motivates migration, according to the Migration Policy Institute (MPI).

Remittances to Bangladesh have a profound impact on the economy. Back-home recipients use these funds to finance essential needs, education and small businesses, according to the MPI. This financial support often boosts the production of tradable and non-tradable goods and services, influences land markets and fosters the growth of banking and commerce sectors.

About 70% of remittance recipients use the funds for essential needs like food, clothing and shelter. They also invest significantly in agriculture, small businesses and housing, driving local entrepreneurship and job creation.

Improving Food Security

A World Bank analysis indicates that households in rural Bangladesh receiving remittances are more food secure compared to those that do not receive remittances. This means that remittance-recipient families are better able to afford and access sufficient food, leading to improved nutritional outcomes and overall well-being.

However, family support is not the sole driving factor of inward remittances. The migrants’ skills and education levels also play a part. A migrant with a secondary education is likely to send back more money than someone with no formal education. This highlights the importance of education and skills development in maximizing the remittance potential of future generations of Bangladeshi migrants.

Remittance Incentive Programme

The Bangladeshi government recognizes the immense contribution of its migrant workforce to the overall economic growth of the country. The Remittance Incentive Programme, launched in July 2019, is a significant initiative of the government. This program aims to encourage Bangladeshis working abroad to use official channels for sending money home, rather than informal systems. The program offers a cash reward directly deposited into the sender’s bank account for remittances sent through legal procedures. The incentive was 2% initially, then raised to 2.5% in 2022 and currently stands at 5%. This initiative promotes the use of formal channels for remittance and enhances transparency.

Remittance and the COVID-19 Pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic-induced global economic turmoil, the World Bank predicted that reducing inward remittance to Bangladesh would hit the economy hard. Despite that, remittance inflow started to increase in the last half of 2020 making it to the list of the top ten highest remittance recipient countries

This significant inflow has improved living standards, financed education, boosted local economies, and elevated the country’s foreign currency reserves past $46 billion. The remittances have also played a crucial role in stabilizing the balance of payments and enhancing the nation’s credit rating

Conclusion

Remittance to Bangladesh can be a powerful force to reduce poverty. Supporting education and skills development and fostering safe working conditions for migrant workers, can ensure this vital lifeline continues to flow and empower the nation for generations to come.

– Sumaiya Sultana

Sumaiya is based in London, UK and focuses on Business and New Markets for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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Food Fortification: Using Staple Foods to Combat Malnutrition

Food Fortification: Using Staple Foods to Combat MalnutritionSince 2017, the prevalence of undernourishment has risen globally, with an estimated 735 million people affected according to the 2023 Global Hunger Index. Undernutrition is linked to nearly half of all deaths among children under 5, predominantly in low- and middle-income countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies micronutrient deficiencies as a significant health issue, particularly the lack of iron, iodine, vitamin A and zinc, which are crucial for growth and development. These deficiencies pose severe health risks, especially to children and pregnant women in developing nations. With inflating food costs, climate change and the growing threat of conflicts around the world,  the world is experiencing its worst global food crisis in decades. In response, food fortification presents a sustainable, innovative and cost-effective strategy to combat malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies worldwide.

Addressing Malnutrition

Malnutrition and chronic illnesses in the Global South pose significant obstacles to achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Concern Worldwide U.S. indicates that, at the current rate of progress, the MDG of eradicating hunger by 2030 is unlikely. Micronutrient deficiencies impact more than two billion people worldwide, with severe repercussions for the health, social and economic well-being of nations, families and individuals, particularly affecting women and children.

Strategic Approaches to Combat Malnutrition

Food fortification involves deliberately enhancing the nutritional quality of food by adding vitamins and minerals. This practice helps prevent, reduce and control micronutrient deficiencies in the general population and specific groups, including children and pregnant women. Over recent decades, large-scale food fortification has emerged as a crucial strategy to combat malnutrition, reaching billions by making staple foods like flour, rice and edible oil more nutritious.

Globally, experts rank food fortification as one of the most cost-effective interventions in global development. Nutrition International (NI), an organization dedicated to providing nutrition interventions where they are most needed, collaborates with governments, industry stakeholders and other organizations. The organization works to supply fortified staple foods and condiments by promoting mandatory fortification and enhancing social safety net programs through these partnerships.

Fortified Rice: The Bangladeshi Experience

Rice serves as the primary nutrition source in many developing countries, including Bangladesh, where extensive malnutrition and chronic illnesses persist. It accounts for 67.5% of the daily caloric intake in Bangladesh, making it the third-largest rice market globally from 2020 to 2021. Approximately 40% of the rice produced in Bangladesh is for home consumption. For poorer populations, meals typically consist of rice accompanied only by vegetables and spices. Consequently, the Bangladeshi diet often lacks essential micronutrients, contributing to a significant national burden of micronutrient deficiencies. Despite notable reductions in malnutrition rates among children and women, these deficiencies remain widespread.

According to the 2019-2020 National Micronutrient Survey of Bangladesh, approximately 61% of surveyed women did not achieve the minimum requirements for healthy dietary diversity. With assistance from Nutrition International, Bangladesh has utilized large-scale food fortification within its social safety net programs to combat micronutrient deficiencies by providing fortified rice. Collaborative efforts involving the Bangladeshi government, the World Food Programme and Nutrition International have facilitated rice fortification with zinc, iron, folic acid, vitamin A and vitamins B1 and B12. This fortified rice is distributed across Bangladesh’s districts through various points. Since launching in 2013, the initiative has reached more than 15 million people via two major safety net programs. In 2021, the fortified rice initiative expanded into commercial markets on a pilot basis.

Flour and Oil: The Case of Pakistan

Pakistan loses about 3% of its GDP or approximately $7.6 billion, annually due to malnutrition. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports that 37.5 million people in Pakistan are not receiving proper nutrition. In response, Nutrition International, funded by U.K. aid and collaborating with Mott MacDonald, initiated a project to institutionalize fortified edible oil and wheat flour across 56 districts in Pakistan. By 2019, these ongoing efforts had significantly increased the production of fortified goods, providing more than 65 million people across the country with essential micronutrients. The program now aims to expand its reach to 155 million people with fortified edible oil and 87 million people with fortified wheat flour by 2027.

Looking Ahead

The positive impact of food fortification programs in countries like Bangladesh and Pakistan illuminates a path toward mitigating global malnutrition. The ongoing initiatives demonstrate the tangible benefits of strategic collaborations that enhance the nutritional content of staple foods, offering hope for substantial improvements in public health. As these ongoing efforts expand, the potential to significantly reduce micronutrient deficiencies and improve life outcomes for millions globally continues to grow.

– Irene Suvillaga

Irene is based in Ontario, Canada and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Everything You Need To Know about Poverty in Bangladesh

Poverty in BangladeshBangladesh is a country in South Asia that neighbors India to the West, North and East and the Bay of Bengal to the South. Formerly known as East Pakistan, Bangladesh first received recognition in 1971 when the two parts of Pakistan split after a bitter war for independence. In 1975, Bangladesh entered the United Nations (U.N.) as a Less-Developed Country (LDC) under President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

In recent years, Bangladesh has reduced population growth, improved health care and education and is on track to transition into U.N. Developing Country status by 2026. Still, limited resources and a volatile political sphere have hindered progress. This is everything you need to know about poverty in Bangladesh.

 Top 10 Facts About Poverty in Bangladesh

  1. Land is vulnerable to flooding and cyclones – The rivers overflow their banks each year and inundate the countryside from June to October. Known as Monsoon Season, slow drainage and continuous rainfall have caused the mean precipitation amount to be more than 1,700 millimeters during these months.
    Severe floods damage crops, ruin villages and take a heavy toll on human and animal populations. In turn, this causes a strain on agricultural production and the supply of food. In August of 2023, 24% of households in Bangladesh suffered from food insecurity due to the rainfall and heat waves.
  2. Public systems require additional global investment – The Intergovernmental Committee of Experts on Sustainable Development Financing (ICESDF) found that all countries will require additional global investments in the range of $5 trillion to $7 trillion per year till 2030 to meet the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This will help countries like Bangladesh improve their basic infrastructure, power stations, water systems, sanitation and rural development.
  3. Intraregional religious tensions are rising – Bangladesh is a predominantly Muslim country but has held a tradition of tolerance with large pockets of religious minorities, such as Hindus and Christians, living among one another. However, from 2014 to 2017, Islamists carried out a campaign of violence against atheists and secular intellectuals. Tensions have receded in the years since, but the densely populated nature of Bangladesh makes it predisposed to intraregional conflict, increasing its vulnerability to poverty.
  4. Development goals are not involved in national planning – Development goals have not been properly integrated into the national planning process. Funding is not allocated toward developing public systems, which leads to continued pressure on resources. As of 2018, Bangladesh has at least 14 national plans and strategies, with 20% of the U.N.’s SDGs not included.
  5. There is a lot of neighboring conflict – Bangladesh shares its southeastern border with Myanmar and in recent decades, this border has been marked by an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. In August 2017, Myanmar’s military executed an ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya Muslims, sending hundreds of thousands of refugees into Bangladesh. Kutupalong, the world’s largest refugee settlement, holds more than 600,000 Rohingya Muslims in the Cox’s Bazar region of Bangladesh. In 2019, Bangladesh announced it would no longer accept refugees due to insufficient resources.
  6. The economy relies on the textile industry – The ready-made garment (RMG) industry accounted for more than 84% of Bangladesh’s total exports in 2021. Bangladesh is the second-largest garment-producing country in the world. Still, it has come at the expense of the labor conditions for the estimated four million workers in the RMG industry, the majority of whom are women.
  7. It is not expensive to live in Bangladesh – Even though the monthly salary in Bangladesh is on par with the average of other U.N. LDCs, the cost of living is low. Bangladesh ranks 192nd out of 197 countries in terms of cost of living. https://livingcost.org/cost/bangladesh But, to counter that, the monthly salary after tax is roughly $275 per month, which only accounts for the cost of living for 0.7 of a month.
  8. Bangladesh is ranked 129th according to the Human Development Index (HDI) – Bangladesh’s HDI of 0.661 is higher than the HDI regional value of South Asia. The index measures a country’s development based on factors such as life expectancy, the standard of living and education. Bangladesh is now in the medium development category. However, inequality poses a significant challenge and when adjusted to account for inequality, Bangladesh’s HDI value drops to 0.503, losing 23.9% of its original value.
  9. Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) has continued to decline – IMR is the number of infant deaths before his or her first birthday for every 1,000 live births. It is a key indicator for not only maternal and infant health but the overall health of society as well. Bangladesh’s IMR peaked in 1971 with a rate of more than  200 infant deaths, but it has continued to decline. In 2021, Bangladesh had a rate of 23 infant deaths. This is done with the help of Bangladesh NGO Unity Through Population Service (UTPS), which has celebrated 40 years of improving socioeconomic conditions through reproductive health assistance, education services and individual economic development.
  10. Bangladesh is experiencing one of the fastest reductions in poverty – Since its induction to the U.N. in 1975, Bangladesh has witnessed one of the fastest reductions in poverty worldwide due to its continued SDGs. In 2018, Bangladesh succeeded in reducing the proportion of its population below the national poverty line to 18.6%, three years ahead of projections through government programs, such as the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA). In 2010, BEZA began introducing 97 Economic Zones, opening new textiles and international trade industries.

The situation may look pessimistic based on some of these 10 facts about poverty in Bangladesh. However, despite its challenges, Bangladesh has vastly improved and continues to improve. The cultural environment is rich and diverse and citizens continue to work toward a better future for Bangladesh. Overall, everything you need to know about poverty in Bangladesh highlights that, while there is room for improvement, the country has great potential to continue developing into a prosperous member of the U.N. and international realm.

– Anjum Alam
Photo: Pixabay

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5 Charities Operating in Bangladesh

Charities Operating in BangladeshBangladesh has made significant strides from poverty to becoming one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. The poverty rate has gone from 41.6% to 18.7% in the past decade. While improvements in health care and education are notable, many areas still lack essential resources. Bangladeshis living in poverty-stricken areas have inadequate access to healthcare, education and food, with about 25% of the country being food insecure.

In addition, Bangladesh has the fourth highest child marriage rate in the world, primarily affecting rural populations living in poverty. These populations often turn to child marriage as they are unable to provide for their daughters. Despite progress, disparities persist, leaving some regions underserved.

To address these challenges, several charities are actively working on the ground in Bangladesh. They aim to ensure equitable access to vital resources for all citizens. These organizations play a crucial role in bridging the gap and empowering communities through supporting health care, education and poverty alleviation. Here are five charities operating in Bangladesh:

Save the Children

Save the Children is a global nongovernmental organization (NGO) that stands as a vigilant guardian for children worldwide, committed to shielding them from potential harm. Operating in Bangladesh since 1970, its initiatives encompass essential programs such as health, education and protective measures.

Noteworthy achievements include spearheading the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) MaMoni Maternal Care Strengthening Project, a five-year program that began in 2018. It aimed to increase access to quality maternal and newborn health care and to reduce the maternal and neonatal mortality rate for marginalized communities.

Additionally, there’s the Reading Enhancement for Advancing Development (READ) project, a five-year program that took place from 2013 to 2018. This initiative provided training for teachers and reading materials for students, impacting more than one million learners. Moreover, Save the Children’s efforts extend to aiding Rohingya refugees residing in southeastern Bangladesh by building facilities such as toilets, health care centers and learning centers, exemplifying its unwavering commitment to the well-being and production of vulnerable children in the region.

Jaago Foundation

Jaago Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in 2007 that is dedicated to empowering underprivileged individuals across Bangladesh, with a focus on education, youth development and women’s empowerment. Currently, its endeavors include blistering technological skills among students and expanding access to education through digital platforms.

In addition, it provides scholarships to women, ensuring they can pursue and continue their education, thus fostering a more inclusive and equitable society. Through its efforts, it has helped provide access to education to more than 3,500 students and engaged 16,000 children in reading initiatives. Through these initiatives, the Jaago Foundation is catalyzing transformative change and paving the way for a brighter future for all.

Thrive Global

Thrive Global has been on a mission to combat child hunger in Bangladesh by providing nutritious meals to schools. It has collaborated with local NGOs since 2012. USAID approximates that 25% of Bangladesh remains food insecure, including 36% of kids under 5 years of age. Children remain one of the most vulnerable populations to malnutrition.

Thrive Global’s targeted efforts are concentrated in underprivileged areas, particularly urban slums, where access to adequate nutrition is often scarce. Each day, it provides meals to about 2,100 students at 11 different schools across Bangladesh; 20 more schools are currently on the waiting list to receive daily meals.

Recently, Thrive Global has extended its reach to the Philippines, expanding its impactful initiatives beyond borders to address the pressing issue of childhood malnutrition in more communities. Through dedicated work, the nonprofit is sowing seeds of hope and nourishment for a brighter future for children in need.

Girls Not Brides

Another of the charities operating in Bangladesh is Girls Not Brides, an international organization that is at the forefront of the global movement to eradicate child marriages. Launched in Bangladesh in 2013, it focuses on nurturing youth leadership and empowering young activists, as well as advocating for increased investment in programs aimed at ending child marriage.

In 2017, the organization was involved in the technical revision of the Child Marriage Restrain Act, a law intended to make sure that girls under the age of 18 and boys under the age of 21 are protected from unlawful marriage. It continues to lobby the government for the enforcement of the act while simultaneously striving to raise public awareness throughout the country.

Girls Not Brides has reached nearly 50,000 girls across Bangladesh through its efforts to end child marriage. This nonprofit is driving meaningful change toward a future free from child marriage in Bangladesh and beyond.

Brackett Refugee Foundation

Brackett Refugee Education Fund is a nonprofit foundation established in 1997 and dedicated to providing education for refugees, particularly internally displaced children. It supports children in poverty-stricken regions by providing financial contributions so they can go to school. With a focus on Burma, Bangladesh, India and Thailand, it supports students at various levels, including to hundreds of university students, offering them a chance at a brighter future amid adversity.

In Bangladesh, the organization supports educational assistance to Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar through the Children on the Edge program, which sets up learning centers and digital initiatives. By focusing on providing access to education, it empowers these vulnerable populations to foster resilience and opportunities for a brighter future.

Looking Forward

Bangladesh’s progress in tackling poverty is evident, but challenges persist, particularly regarding regional disparities in access to essential resources. Charities operating in Bangladesh play a vital role in bridging these gaps and fostering a more equitable society. As Bangladesh continues to develop, ongoing efforts to address inequality are essential for ensuring that all citizens have the opportunity to thrive in the country’s evolving landscape.

– Adrita Quabili
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Maternal Health in Bangladesh

Maternal Health in BangladeshMaternal health in Bangladesh faces significant challenges. According to Every Mother Counts, it is estimated that there are 245 maternal deaths per every 100,000 live births. Annually, approximately 7,660 Bangladeshi women die from preventable pregnancy and childbirth-related causes.

Causes of Maternal Mortality in Bangladesh

Maternal mortality ranks as the third leading cause of death for women aged 15 to 49 in Bangladesh, where most of these deaths are preventable through high-quality prenatal care and skilled attendance during labor and delivery. Poor health care facilities and limited access to them indirectly contribute to maternal mortality in the country. The two primary direct causes are obstetric hemorrhage, accounting for nearly one-third of maternal deaths and eclampsia, responsible for 23% of maternal deaths.

The State of Maternal Health Care in Bangladesh

Home births dominate in Bangladesh, with 71% occurring at home, yet only 4% receive attention from trained birth attendants. The country’s health worker coverage is at a mere 17% of the global threshold, highlighting a critical shortage of skilled birth attendants, especially in rural areas. For instance, in Cox’s Bazar, a rural area with one of Bangladesh’s highest maternal mortality rates, 90% of women give birth at home without trained attendants or emergency care access due to the region’s health care facility scarcity.

Further analysis of maternal health in Bangladesh reveals that 38% of maternal deaths occur on the day of delivery and 6% occur one day after. Additionally, 19% of these deaths happen at home, another 19% occur while en route to health care facilities, 49% occur in public health care facilities and 13% in private ones. Notably, about 80% of women who give birth in public facilities also die in these settings, underscoring the challenges within Bangladesh’s public health care system.

Efforts of CARE International and Other NGOs

CARE International, an NGO, has launched various programs to enhance maternal health in Bangladesh, including the Joint Action for Nutrition Outcome (JANO). This program educates mothers and pregnant women about health issues, nutrition and precautions during and after pregnancy, reshaping their understanding of the importance of accessing professional health care services.

In addition, the SHOUHARDO III program, another initiative by CARE, has made significant strides in enhancing maternal health in Bangladesh. In 2021, it trained female private community skilled birth attendants to assist pregnant and lactating women in the remote Char and Haor areas of northern Bangladesh. These trained professionals offer safe delivery services, antenatal and postnatal checkups, counseling, and referrals.

Other international organizations are also playing a key role in enhancing maternal health in Bangladesh. Among them, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), through its ‘Solving Referral Challenges for Urban Poor to Access Emergency Obstetric and  Newborn Care’ project, collaborates with 40 maternity centers in Dhaka. The initiative leverages the ‘Ma Jaan’ app, connecting pregnant women in emergencies to the nearest participating hospital. This effort not only aims to bolster maternal health in Bangladesh but also leverages technology to propel the health care sector forward.

Looking Ahead

Efforts by CARE International and other NGOs are paving the way for improved maternal health in Bangladesh, showcasing the potential for significant advancements through education, training and technology. With continued focus and support, these initiatives promise a brighter future for Bangladeshi mothers, reducing preventable maternal deaths and ensuring safer childbirth experiences across the country.

– Olusegun Odejobi

Olusegun is based in Norwich, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Life You Can Save: Charities in Bangladesh

The Life You Can Save: Charities in BangladeshBangladesh has made significant progress in welfare and poverty reduction since the 2000s. The country’s poverty rate decreased from 13.47% in 2016 to 10.44% in 2022. Additionally, a recent World Bank report from 2016-17 shows that 24.3% of people live below the upper poverty line and 12.9% below the extreme poverty line. However, the country faces natural disasters and limited access to health care and education, presenting significant challenges to its development and welfare improvement efforts. In the face of these hardships, charitable organizations play a crucial role in supporting vulnerable communities amidst these challenges. In an interview about charities in Bangladesh, The Borgen Project spoke with Katie Stanford, Research Director of The Life You Can Save, highlighting its efforts to alleviate poverty, improve health care and empower individuals to build a better future for themselves and their families. 

The Life You Can Save

The Life You Can Save, established in 2013, champions effective charitable giving to combat poverty. This organization rigorously evaluates and endorses high-impact charities, ensuring donors contribute to the most effective causes. To date, it has facilitated more than $100 million in donations. Furthermore, The Life You Can Save supports several charities in Bangladesh, each addressing poverty in diverse and impactful ways. The following are some of the charities:

Fistula Foundation

The Maternal Morbidity Validation Study (MMVS) revealed that in Bangladesh, the adjusted prevalence rate of obstetric fistulas among women aged 15 to 49 is 38 per 100,000. The study revealed that 4,081 women aged 50 to 64 suffer from this condition, totaling 17,457 affected women between ages 15 and 64. This data underscores the significant health challenge obstetric fistula poses to women in Bangladesh. The Fistula Foundation leads in treating obstetric fistula worldwide. A fistula is a severe birth injury that often leads to incontinence and social ostracization for women. Beyond covering surgery costs, the foundation supports surgeon training, provides facility equipment, engages in grassroots community initiatives and ensures comprehensive post-surgery recovery. Annually, it facilitates more than 10,000 surgeries to repair childbirth injuries, highlighting its significant impact in restoring dignity and health to affected women.

Malaria Consortium

In the late 1990s, Bangladesh reported up to 70,000 laboratory-confirmed malaria cases, 900,000 clinical cases and more than 500 deaths annually, with suspected unreported cases possibly exceeding 250,000 annually. A 2007 survey in the 13 endemic districts revealed a 4% crude prevalence, with Plasmodium falciparum responsible for more than 90% of the cases. The Chittagong Hill Tracts showed the highest infection rates. This highlights the significant public health challenge malaria poses, necessitating targeted interventions to reduce transmission and fatalities.

The Malaria Consortium provides initiatives that shield the most vulnerable and impoverished children in Asia and Africa from a variety of fatal illnesses, such as pneumonia and malaria. In addition, the Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) project is an incredibly economical and scientifically supported method of preventing malaria in children under the age of 5. Moreover, its annual demonstrated impact includes delivering seasonal malaria chemoprevention to 24 million children, significantly more than 20 million in the previous year.

Helen Keller Intl.

Vitamin A deficiency poses a serious health risk to Bangladesh’s children, leading to blindness and increased mortality among those under 6 years of age. Annually, around 30,000 children may become blind from this deficiency, with many dying shortly thereafter. Helen Keller Intl. addresses this through its annual global vitamin A supplementation programs, benefiting 32 million children under the age of 5 each year and supporting 388,000 families with resources to grow and sell vitamin A-rich foods. In addition, this approach significantly improves child health and nutrition, highlighting the need for ongoing nutritional interventions.

Life You Can Save: Charities Research and Evaluation

The Life You Can Save supports several charities in Bangladesh, including the Fred Hollows Foundation, Seva Foundation, Oxfam and Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA). The organization ensures aid reaches those most in need in the most effective ways. It rigorously analyzes data to identify the best interventions for various aspects of poverty, focusing on the highest-impact charities. The rigorous research and continuous assessments equips donors with detailed information to enhance their philanthropic impact. Moreover, the process involves evaluating donor interventions based on their evidence, reach, depth and lasting effects while assessing charities by their evidence quality, reporting, track record, cost-effectiveness, transparency, community understanding and commitment to upholding the dignity of its beneficiaries.

Looking Ahead

Bangladesh continues to forge a path toward a brighter future, bolstered by the crucial support of impactful charities and organizations like The Life You Can Save. Above all, the collaborative endeavors of local and international partners signify a beacon of hope for the millions striving for a life free from poverty and disease in Bangladesh.

– AuiCha Conley

AuiCha is based in Detroit, MI, USA and focuses on Health and Charity for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Bangladesh’s Health Workers Restore Vision for 2 Million Adults

Bangladesh's Health Workers Restore Vision for 2 Million AdultsBangladesh’s health workers have played a pivotal role in improving community well-being. Community Health Workers (CHWs) have restored clear vision for 2 million adults in less than two decades. Since 2006, the social enterprise VisionSpring, in collaboration with BRAC Bangladesh, has trained 32,000 volunteers. These trained individuals bring primary diagnosis for presbyopia—a common cause of farsightedness in adults—to remote communities.

Presbyopia is an age-related refractive vision error that makes it difficult to focus on subjects at a closer distance and affects income avenues. At the moment, 1.8 billion of the world’s population is affected by the epidemic. An estimated 826 million are close to visual impairment due to the lack of access to affordable vision correction.

Presbyopia in Bangladesh

One in every two adults in Bangladesh loses livelihood opportunities due to presbyopia, yet appropriate eyewear can significantly mitigate this impact. BRAC and VisionSpring have expanded their efforts to conduct vision tests and distribute spectacles across 61 of Bangladesh’s 64 districts through the Reading Glasses for Improved Livelihoods (RGIL) initiative.

This program has equipped volunteers with the skills to evaluate visual impairments in remote communities, provide affordable reading glasses and make referrals for advanced eye care to ophthalmologists and optometrists. These volunteers receive compensation based on the number of spectacles they distribute.

The Role of Bangladesh’s Health Workers

Moreover, community health workers lie at the heart of primary health care in rural Bangladesh, assisting with family planning, adolescent hygiene, vaccinations and safe antenatal and prenatal care. Health worker’s acceptance within communities fosters participation in the program. Regular visits create a feedback loop that allows for timely adjustments and sustained effectiveness.

Morseda Chowdhury, director of the BRAC Health Nutrition and Population Programme, lauds the contribution of community volunteers to this achievement. He states, “This is a perfect example of an effective public health intervention scalable in a low-resource setting. A multitasking CHW can be utilized to tackle a stubborn problem that impedes the quality of life as well as reduces productivity and thus the economic potential of a country.”

Vision Correction in Addressing Poverty

Vision impairment disproportionately affects poorer economies. In Europe, only 4% of the population experiences presbyopia, but in lower-income countries, up to 94% suffer from poor vision. Studies indicate that presbyopia decreases individuals’ quality of life by 22%. Adults with farsightedness face challenges in performing daily tasks, from winnowing grain and cooking food to maintaining hygiene.

A World Economic Forum survey reported that near-vision impairment affected the earnings of 23% of office workers in Bangladesh. The study also found that workers in Rwanda with poor vision faced termination three times faster than their counterparts. Additionally, 2011 research indicated that inadequate vision correction among the global working population under 50 contributed to an annual productivity loss of $11 billion.

A randomized control trial by VisionSpring, Orbis and Queen’s University Belfast observed a 21.7% increase in productivity among presbyopic tea pickers in India using corrective lenses. The success of the Reading Glasses for Improved Livelihoods (RGIL) program in Bangladesh has paved the way for lower- and middle-income countries to promote the distribution of reading glasses. This neglected yet affordable solution helps restore employment and reduce poverty in the global south.

– Soham Mitra
Photo: Flickr

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Freedom for Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh

Rohingya RefugeesSince the ’90s, Bangladesh has hosted Rohingya refugees fleeing persecution in Myanmar in fenced refugee camps, the number of whom has reached almost a million since Myanmar’s crackdown in 2017. Refugees are prohibited from traveling beyond the fences of the camps. They are limited in their access to vital services while also facing the risk of gang violence, kidnapping and extreme hunger.

Kutupalong, located in Ukhia on the vast Cox’s Bazar complex, is one of the largest refugee camps in the world. Built on steep hillsides, the camps are susceptible to flooding and landslides, particularly during monsoon season and the bamboo structures hastily constructed to house Kutupalong’s one million occupants provide little sanctuary. Fires in the camp are also not uncommon.

A Fresh Chance at Freedom

However, as of December 2023, a new hope was presented for the camps’ occupants. After blocking any resettlement of refugees to third countries since 2010, Bangladesh agreed to allow the U.S. to resettle some Rohingya refugees after striking a deal. For the first time in more than a decade, refugees were provided with hope for a way out of the camp that didn’t involve the risk of violence and even death through illegal human trafficking.

Although only 62 refugees have been flown to the U.S. thus far, these figures are set to increase. AK Abdul Momen, Bangladesh’s foreign minister, reportedly wants developed nations to take 100,000 refugees and criticized the stagnant pace of the resettlement process, despite ultimately believing the best solution to support the Rohingya is for them to be repatriated back to Myanmar, where they face persecution.

Juliet Volls Noyce, Assistant Secretary to President Biden, also offered her support, adding that “the U.S. is proud to be able to support resettlement in our country of the very vulnerable Rohingya. This is a priority of President Biden. We are discussing with other governments and with other partners. We will be working together with the international community.”

Speaking to the Guardian, Nurul, among the first refugees afforded a chance at a new life with resettlement to the U.S., spoke glowingly of his newfound freedom. “We have escaped the prison,” he said, adding that “for 31 years, I did not even have “basic rights. All this time, we lived with only primary services – school, food, health. Nothing more than that.”

The Future?

The early success of the resettlement process demonstrates the enormous potential for the Rohingya population of Myanmar to start a new life in the West. However, there is unequivocally a substantial amount of progress to be made before the program can be labeled a success.

AK Abdul Momen highlighted that current progress represents nothing more than “just a drop in the ocean,” as Bangladesh hosts more than 1.1 million refugees. For the program to be labeled successful, resettlements will need to continue on a larger scale and continued support from the U.S. government will be significantly depended upon.

– Ethan Leyden
Photo: Flickr