Direct Relief's Activities in Bangladesh

Learn about Direct Relief's response to Cyclone Aila. 

Bangladesh is a low-lying delta region located between Burma and India in southern Asia. Its tropical climate, Himalayan snow melt, and heavy monsoon season contribute to serious problems with flooding and infectious waterborne diseases. ¹ Over 84 percent of its people live on less than US $2 per day. ² Major public health problems also include tuberculosis, perinatal conditions including low birth weight and birth trauma, and unintentional injuries such as fires and drowning. ³

Direct Relief has provided over $1 million (wholesale) in medical material assistance to Bangledesh since 2000, focusing on basic medical supplies, emergency response, and reproductive health.

Direct Relief International works in Bangladesh with Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha (SSS) and the Marie Stopes Society. Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha was founded in 1998 to help alleviate the dire circumstances of impoverished people in the flood-prone regions of Bangladesh where the government and other NGOs were not working. Shidhulai regularly uses boats to reach isolated populations to provide health care and health education services, making it particularly well suited to respond to flooding or other emergency situations. Marie Stopes is a national arm of an international NGO that operates a network of clinics across Bangladesh. It provides a full range of services for safe motherhood, prenatal care, safe delivery, immunizations, family planning services, reproductive health, and general health care.

Featured Work

Innovative Solutions in Bangladesh
Indigenous boats outfitted with clinics, classrooms, and libraries serve thousands of villagers living in remote areas, and provide emergency response during annual flooding.  More »

Direct Relief's Partners in Bangladesh