Sakuma Begum* (14) and her brother Kassim* are supported by a Concern run pavement dweller center, Ananda Bazar, Dhaka. Photo: Jennifer Nolan / Concern Worldwide.

Bangladesh

Why are we in Bangladesh? Despite a reduction in poverty levels over the last few decades, Bangladesh remains an under-developed country and there are still about 40 million living in poverty and 20 million extremely poor. Bangladesh’s geographical location, land characteristics, rivers, and climate also make it very vulnerable to natural disasters.

*We are currently responding to the threat of COVID-19 in Bangladesh. Find out more about our response here.

Roughly a quarter of Bangladesh's population is suffering from extremely high rates of malnutrition

Bangladesh remains vulnerable to food shortages with roughly a quarter of the population classed as food insecure and suffers from extremely high rates of malnutrition. Bangladesh performs poorly on a range of inequality indicators and there remain major challenges in terms of gender equality. These challenges include education, jobs, sexual and reproductive health, child marriages, partner violence, and other forms of gender-based violence. The Government of Bangladesh is hosting approximately 855,000 Rohingya people who fled violence in Myanmar in what has become the world’s largest refugee camp.

Latest achievements

Emergency response

As part of Concern’s emergency response to the Rohingya crisis, lifesaving and preventative nutrition services are being delivered by our emergency nutrition team to six camps in Cox’s Bazar.

Urban development

Health services

Boli and Mohamud at Moynadhona refugee camp for Rohingya in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Photo: Kieran McConville / Concern Worldwide.

Members of the Concern emergency response team at Hakim Para refugee camp for Rohingya people in Bangladesh. Photo by Kieran McConville / Concern Worldwide.

Members of the Concern emergency response team at Hakim Para refugee camp for Rohingya people in Bangladesh. Phot: Kieran McConville / Concern Worldwide.

Rina Begum (32) outside Fuljhar primary school, Bangladesh. Photo: Jennifer Nolan / Concern Worldwide.

Zafar serves food from his food cart, Bangladesh. Photo: Abbie Trayler-Smith / Concern Worldwide.

Arman receives cash for work outside Fuljhar primary school. Photo: Jennifer Nolan / Concern Worldwide.

Our proud history in Bangladesh

We have been fighting extreme poverty in Bangladesh since 1972. For over 45 years, we have worked with the most vulnerable people to reduce extreme poverty.

How we're helping Bangladesh

We are working hard to combat suffering and build resilience in Bangladesh. We are doing this by establishing programmes which will reduce poverty, respond to emergencies and improve health and nutrition.

Latest from Bangladesh

Married mum of six Reshma* (30) with adopted niece Tahira* (9 months) Rohingya Refugee Crisis, Bazar Camp, Bangladesh Photo: Abir Abdullah / Concern Worldwide

Story

24 August 2020

'The Rohingya people still have hope’ - Three years on living as refugees

Today marks three years since the Rohingya people fled violence and persecution in Rakhine State in Myanmar. An estimated 730,000 refugees have crossed into Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh to find safety and security. While the majority of Rohingya people wish to go return to their villages once safe to do so, there has been little progress in establishing a basis for their return. 