Bangladesh

Humanitarian context

Although Bangladesh has experienced significant economic growth over the past decade, its population still faces major challenges: almost one third are food insecure and 20% live below the national poverty line.

In Bangladesh, 31 per cent of children under the age of five suffer from stunting, while 24 per cent of women between the ages of 15 and 49 are underweight, increasing the risk of maternal and infant mortality.

In addition, the country is vulnerable to natural disasters and extreme weather events caused by the climate crisis: The majority of its population lives in areas prone to floods and cyclones, which directly impacts people’s food security.

In May 2023, Cyclone Mocha hit coastal areas along the border between Bangladesh and Myanmar, causing considerable damage to Cox Bazaar, one of the largest refugee settlements in the world. Over 140,000 Bangladeshis were hit by the cyclone, which also damaged or destroyed the homes of 40,000 Rohingya in 33 refugee camps.

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BENEFICIARIES

180

workers

Our activity

Action Against Hunger distributed over 50,500 food supplements to women and children in Rohingya refugee camps in 2022, where it also tested a solid waste management process that turns organic waste into compost, which can be delivered to communities. In addition, we created 30 information centres so communities could access digital services, such as telemedicine consultations and job offers.

We promote the nutritional well-being of children under five and train dozens of civil society organizations and local entrepreneurs to ensure easy access to affordable nutritious food, as well as access to water, sanitation and hygiene, especially in the event of natural disasters.

In cyclone-prone areas, Action Against Hunger promotes climate-friendly agriculture and, together with the country's communities and authorities, it has put in place a cyclone early detection protocol to manage disaster risk more effectively.

Action Against Hunger teams are also prepared to respond to the flash floods that occur frequently in the country. This includes the provision of hygiene kits, cash grants to repair damaged homes and water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, as well as training health personnel to provide psychosocial and mental health support to those affected by the floods.