Bangladesh

HI has been working in Bangladesh since 1997 to ensure that people with disabilities are integrated into society. Our programme also provides support to thousands of Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (Rohingyas) who have fled Myanmar.

Jubair is a 12-year-old Rohingya refugee. He was shot when he fled to Bangladesh. His left leg has been amputated, and he is undergoing rehabilitation by HI teams. | © Abdun Noor / HI

Actions in process

In response to the influx of hundreds of thousands of Rohingyas fleeing neighbouring Myanmar since August 2017, HI is providing assistance to people living in extreme precarity. Our teams deliver rehabilitation care, mental health and psychosocial support, protection and sexual and reproductive health research (SRH) support to thousands of people. HI has also set up a logistics platform with humanitarian aid storage facilities and a fleet of lorries that transport humanitarian aid for HI and other organizations.

HI encourages the inclusion of the most vulnerable by supporting their access to services, such as rehabilitation and inclusive employment, and their participation in society.

The organization also improves access to education for all children, including children with disabilities, developmental delays and psychological disorders in camps for Rohingya refugees. Our teams train teachers to include children with disabilities in the classroom, organize rehabilitation sessions for children with disabilities to facilitate their access to school and raises community awareness of their right to education.

HI also takes action to ensure that people with disabilities have access to a source of income, giving them financial independence and improving their acceptance by their communities.

HI works with most vulnerable communities, especially persons with disabilities living in disaster prone and environmentally fragile areas to include them in disaster risk reduction plannings and to build their capacities to deal with disasters.

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Situation of the country

Map of Bangladesh with Humanty & Inclusion's presence in the country

Bangladesh, situated in South Asia, is the eighth most populated country in the world and among the most densely populated. From being one of the poorest nations at its foundation in 1971, Bangladesh reached lower-middle income status in 2015. It is currently faced with the influx of hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees from neighboring Myanmar.

Bangladesh is surrounded by India and has a shared border with Myanmar to the south. In 2020, an estimated 11.5% of its population, or 37.9 million people, was living below the poverty line. Despite strong growth, significant inequality persists. Economic growth is held back by internal factors, such as corruption, recurrent natural disasters (cyclones and devastating floods) and by monsoons five months of the year. Every year, between 50% and 70% of the land is submerged under water, destroying harvests, homes and livestock.

In response to the arrival from Myanmar of more than 700,000 Rohingya since August 2017, HI has assisted more than 30,000 refugees and continues to provide emergency assistance, notably rehabilitation care and psychological support.

Number of HI staff members: 356
Date the programme opened: 1997

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