Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated nations with soaring levels of food poverty. With 32% of the land consisting of coastal plains, the smallest fluctuation in rainfall, or worse, a cyclone, can destroy the delicate ecosystems and increase salt levels in both land and water.
As a result, livelihoods are slowly eroded. Over half of families living in these areas experience food shortages for up to six months a year as increased salinity of cultivable land dramatically reduces crop yields. Children therefore become vulnerable to child labour and trafficking, whilst communities risk contracting water-borne diseases.
- Over a quarter of the adult population are illiterate (UNESCO, 2016)
- 49% of children under 5 are chronically undernourished (UNICEF, 2017)
- 1 in 10 people have limited access to water (WHO/UNICEF, 2015)
- 31 out of every 100 children don’t reach their 5th birthday (Asian Development Bank, 2015)
Islamic Relief in Bangladesh
Islamic Relief has been working in Bangladesh since April 1991 and currently works in 17 districts. Our programmes focus predominately on sustainable development, community empowerment, and some emergency relief.
One of our key goals is to eliminate the chronic levels of household poverty. We work to combat the exponential effects of climate change and resulting climate-induced disasters. We also improve access to safe water sanitation, promote better hygiene practices and tackle issues of discrimination against women and girls, orphans, the elderly, and disabled citizens.
