Corruption and weak governance at all levels – including nepotism, the concentration of power in the hands of a small number of elites, and restrictions of freedom of expression – result in a lack of transparency and access to justice for the poorest, most marginalised people, as well as limiting the influence of local NGOs.
In August 2024, the government of Sheik Hasina was overthrown by a broad coalition of disenfranchised citizens that grew from a student-led protest movement. An interim government was appointed in its place. Fresh elections are expected to take place in late 2025, early 2026.
Despite considerable economic growth in recent years, unemployment continues to be a cause of poverty. As of 2022, approximately 37 million people were not in education, employment or training (12 million of whom were aged 16-24). Women make up less than 35 per cent of the workforce and have limited access to land and credit, and continue to suffer from gender-based violence and patriarchal oppression. The poorest households are reliant on insecure seasonal work and are frequently trapped in cycles of indebtedness, sometimes resulting in conditions of modern slavery. Great economic stress, made worse by the COVID pandemic and war in Ukraine, has driven a dramatic rise in migration abroad. Unfortunately, many of the poorest migrant workers are victims of abuse – both at the hands of corrupt migration agents and overseas employers.
Bangladesh is one of the most at-risk countries in the world to the effects of the climate crisis. Most of the country is no more than 10m (33 ft) above sea level, making it incredibly vulnerable to natural disasters, like flash floods. Alongside flooding, cyclones are becoming more frequent and destructive, affecting more people and growing in intensity and size (the INFORM climate change index projects that, even in an optimistic scenario, close to 10 million Bangladeshis will be exposed to floods by 2050). The impacts of the climate crisis are made even worse by the overuse of chemicals in agriculture, reducing soil fertility and destroying biodiversity.
Together, we can build a better world. In Bangladesh, your donations will help some of the poorest and most marginalised groups to improve their livelihoods and contribute to an improved quality of life. Together, we can support people to flourish in their communities while regenerating the environment.
