Bangladesh
HI has been working in Bangladesh since 1997 to ensure that people with disabilities are integrated into society. HI also provides support to thousands of Rohingya refugees who have fled Myanmar.
Bangladesh. Raihan, 6 years | © Shumon Ahmed / CDD
Our actions
Following the mass influx of hundreds of thousands of Rohingya fleeing neighbouring Myanmar since August 2017, HI is providing emergency response to supply aid to people who are living in extremely difficult circumstances. The organisation provides rehabilitation care and psychological support to thousands of people. The organisation also makes available humanitarian equipment storage centres and a fleet of lorries (logistics platform), transporting humanitarian equipment for HI and other organisations.
HI encourages the inclusion of the most vulnerable people by supporting their access to services such as rehabilitation and inclusive employment and inclusion in society.
The organisation also improves access to education for all children, including children with disabilities, developmental delay, psychological problems, and so on in camps for Rohingya refugees. HI trains teachers to include children with disabilities in schools, organises rehabilitation sessions for children with disabilities (which then enables them to go to school, among other activities), raises community awareness of the right of children to education, and so on.
The association also takes action to ensure that people with disabilities have access to a source of income, which gives them financial independence and means they are better accepted within their communities.
Areas of intervention
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a life
Background
One of the poorest and least developed countries in the world, Bangladesh is currently having to cope with the influx of hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees from neighbouring Myanmar.
Bangladesh is located in South Asia. It is surrounded by India and has a shared border with Myanmar to the south. It is one of the poorest countries in the world. It is estimated that more than half of its population lives below the poverty line Its population density is one of the highest in the world with 1,218 inhabitants/km² 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, swallowing harvests, homes and livestock.
Following the arrival of more than 700,000 Rohingya who have fled Myanmar since August 2017, HI assisted more than 30,000 refugees and continues to provide emergency response, notably rehabilitation care and psychological support.
Number of HI staff members: 263
Date the programme opened: 1992
