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Bangladesh

A man fishing in a flooded rice grove near Chuknagar [Ian Berry]

One of the most vulnerable countries in the world, densely populated Bangladesh faces many challenges, including rising sea levels and frequent cyclones.

Most of Bangladesh’s 144 million people live in cramped conditions and on less than $2 a day. They depend on agriculture to make a living and feed their families. But the low-lying geography of the country makes it extremely vulnerable to flooding and the effects of climate change.

Rising sea levels are increasingly threatening land and harvests. Food insecurity now means the country has two million malnourished children and the highest rate of underweight children in South Asia.

Frequent natural disasters such as floods and cyclones and continuous river erosion are a major obstacle to development. These disasters cause families to lose their homes and crops.

Stigma and discrimination against women and the country's sizeable disabled population further impact on levels of extreme poverty.

Bangladesh floods: our response

August 2011: Severe monsoon rains in Bangladesh have caused several major rivers to burst their banks, affecting nearly one million people.

Asia floods: how we are helping

Heavy monsoon rains have devastated the lives of millions of people across South and East Asia

International Women's Day: Bangladesh

Caritas Bangladesh has been working with women in Sobeda market in the Khulna region of Bangladesh to improve their livelihoods and income generation for over three years.

Wednesday 14 December

Let the clouds pour down saving justice, let the earth open up and blossom with salvation, and let justice sprout with it. Isaiah 45:8

A man carries his daughters in a search for higher ground after flood waters engulfed the town Khoski in Sindh Province, Pakistan [REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro courtesy of alertnet]

Pakistan: floods affect more than five million

Heavy monsoon rains have caused widespread flooding in Sindh Province, Pakistan, many parts of which are still recovering from the floods of 2010.

Tanjibul, 14, is a community disaster risk volunteer. He helps organise evacuations to the nearest cycline shelter when early warnings are sounded [CAFOD]

Surviving the weather in Bangladesh

Benedict D’Rozario and Mizanur Bijoy from Caritas Bangladesh and Prodipan tell us how climate change affects life in Bangladesh

Yasmin Khan and her two sons outside a CAFOD built shelter after their home was destroyed by Cyclone Sidr [Claire Goudsmit]

Improving lives and providing relief

Caritas Bangladesh is one of the largest and most experienced Caritas members in Asia in both relief and development

A disabled boy receives aid during Cyclone Sidr [ADD]

Dignity and rights for the disabled

Up to one in ten people in Bangladesh has a disability, Action on Disability and Development (ADD) is supporting them in their struggle for dignity and independence

CAFOD response to UK government white paper on trade issues

The government today published Trade and investment for growth White Paper. In response, CAFOD's economics analyst Christina Weller said: "During the economic crisis, farming and setting up small businesses kept heads above water in the poorest countries.

The government aid review: we respond

“We should be extremely proud of the lead this government is showing in tackling poverty overseas,” says Chris Bain, Director of CAFOD.

Give

For every £1 given to our Give it up! appeal this Lent, including Lent Fast Day, the government will donate another £1 – doubling your donation and changing even more lives

Pray

884 million people do not have access to clean, safe water. Pray with us this Lent that waters may flow and injustice may be washed away.

Act

Help us turn the tide on water poverty. Join our Thirst for change campaign and ensure world leaders hear our call: taps and toilets for all.

Published on 30/07/2003, last updated on 19/01/2012

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CAFOD is the official Catholic aid agency for England and Wales

Bangladesh