There are more refugees in the world than ever before, and their needs have never been greater, not only for the basic necessities of life, but for hope and opportunities to be self-sufficient. Find out more about the global refugee crisis.
Bangladesh
Why World Vision is in Bangladesh
Though still affected by widespread poverty, in 2018 Bangladesh moved off the U.N.’s list of Least Developed Countries for the first time. However, the capital, Dhaka, is still rated as the second-least livable city in the world. The country has seen growth in attitudes about education — a majority of Bangladeshi families want their kids to go to school instead of work, a positive shift in cultural norms. As well, government-run community health clinics are making healthcare accessible to thousands more families, contributing to overall improvements in health for families and decreasing infant and mother deaths. The hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims taking refuge in Bangladesh are extremely vulnerable to natural disasters and human trafficking. The region’s resources to support them are becoming strained. And many Bangladeshi children and adults are also vulnerable to human trafficking and forced labor, a problem that’s not being sufficiently fought by authorities. Despite advocacy work to change this practice, the government passed a law in 2017 allowing children under 15 to get married for special circumstances. Thanks to the support of our donors, hundreds of thousands of vulnerable children are gaining hope through sponsorship programs. Kids are learning to read better and getting skills for job readiness, so they can have brighter futures. They’re growing up healthier thanks to improvements in sanitation and training in good hygiene behaviors. And together with our partners, we reached hundreds of thousands of people affected by disasters or crisis, bringing them life-saving assistance like food and shelter.
We never give up on people
World Vision child sponsorship looks at all the things that prevent children from surviving and thriving in their community, and then works with that community to bring all the pieces of the puzzle together to build a better life for all children. For sponsors, it’s a personal way to show God’s love to a child in need in a life-changing way.
Sponsor a child in Bangladesh ❯
Progress in Bangladesh
Thanks to the generous support of donors, we’re making great progress toward the well-being of children and their families.
Child Protection and Care
Boys and girls are safe and valued, well cared for by their families, and participating in their communities as agents of transformation.
- Children and youth in Bangladesh are learning about their rights and how to advocate for them, building the capacity of Child Protection Committees, and raise awareness among community members and local partners on how to respond to violations of child rights.
Healthy Children and Families
Children and families are well nourished, protected from infection and disease, and have access to essential health services.
- Caregivers in Bangladesh learned how to implement the Positive Deviance Hearth and Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition methods on how to help prevent child malnutrition. These approaches taught them how to prepare nutritious, locally available foods and learn about positive local feeding practices.
- Community Leaders in Bangladesh are learning healthy hygiene and sanitation practices to help protect against waterborne diseases. Through a collaboration with the community leaders, school children are also learning about hand washing, and supporting schools and households to construct latrines.
Education for Better Lives
Children have opportunities to learn and to develop their talents, young people are equipped for the future, and families and communities support children's education.
- Youth in Bangladesh are learning how to advocate on issues that affect them, solve problems and know and protect child rights through life skills based education.
- Children in Bangladesh are ready for school and parents are actively involved in their development through community-led Early Childhood Care and Development programs. Early childhood teachers are also trained and parents are mobilized to enroll their children.
Prayer Requests from Bangladesh
World Vision's staff in Bangladesh are asking us to join them in prayer for the following:
The government would create laws that benefit our programs to help the most vulnerable people.
Our advocacy efforts for gender equality will have real impact, especially in better working environments for women.
News from Bangladesh
From the Field
Forced to flee: Top countries refugees are coming from
More than 68.5 million people worldwide have been forcibly displaced. Why did they flee, where are they going, and what can be done to address the plight of refugees, especially children?
From the Field
2019 Cyclone Fani: Facts, FAQs, and how to help
Cyclone Fani is tracking across the Indian Ocean toward India and Bangladesh with winds exceeding 130 mph, equal to a Category 4 hurricane. 100 million people are in its path.
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