Bangladesh
The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is helping people in Bangladesh
Last updated: 10 September 2024
Bangladesh is one of the world's countries most at risk from disasters, particularly cyclones and floods, and their impact can be devastating.
It is now also coping with more than 930,000 people who fled their homes in Myanmar and are living in makeshift camps in the Cox's Bazar area.
Thousands of volunteers from the Bangladesh Red Crescent are providing support.
Lucky, a Bangladesh Red Crescent volunteer. PHOTO: Rosie Matheson / British Red Cross
Bangladesh in numbers
- With a population of over 172 million people, Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries in the world (an average of 1,328 people per square kilometre).
- Bangladesh ranks eighth most vulnerable nation to climate change.
- 32 per cent of the population living in rapidly urbanising areas.
- The number of people exposed to extreme river floods in Bangladesh is expected to grow by 6 million to 12 million by the 2040s.
- Between 2014 and 2020, more than 28.39 million people were affected by monsoon floods, and 2.86 million people were temporarily displaced.
- There are only 0.8 hospital beds available per 1,000 people.
- The adolescent fertility rate in Bangladesh is 81 per 1,000 adolescents (among the highest rates in the world).
- Bangladesh ranks 129th on the Human Development Index.
Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement response
The British Red Cross has worked in partnership with the Bangladesh Red Crescent since 2006. Our projects reach around 250,000 people living across the country in urban and rural areas
- prepare for disasters, know what to when they happen and recover afterwards
- get access to clean water and hygienic sanitation, and understand how this helps stop disease
- gain the skills and support they need to earn a living.
These linked programmes help people deal with important everyday issues. Starting from this improved base, they can cope better during emergencies.
Communities are at the core of our projects. Most are run through community committees using their local knowledge to organise what needs to be done in their areas. The Red Cross and the government provide technical support as needed.
This approach creates long-term solutions so people can help themselves, their families and their communities during crises and every day.
The British Red Cross will continue to support the Bangladesh Red Crescent’s development, building upon the Society’s cash
preparedness, community engagement and accountability.
The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is helping to support over 930,000 people who fled violence in Myanmar since August 2017. They joined tens of thousands of others who had already fled to Bangladesh.
Most are now living in makeshift camps in the Cox’s Bazar area of Bangladesh, where conditions are tough.
Do you have a question about this page or want to give us feedback? Visit our Contact us page.