Bangladesh

Our Work for Children in Bangladesh

Save the Children has been working with children, families, communities and government ministries in Bangladesh since 1970.

One of the largest child charities in Bangladesh, with a sizable in-country staff and hundreds of partners, we offer a wide range of programs, including those promoting children’s basic rights to good health, education and a life free from violence. With expertly trained staff, prepositioned supplies and proven programs, we stand ready to respond swiftly and effectively to the country’s frequent emergencies.

We’re also leading the massive humanitarian effort for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, providing physical and mental health care, education, protection and so much more.

Here are some recent examples of our work:

A healthy start in life

• Since 2018, we’ve led the USAID MaMoni Maternal and Newborn Care Strengthening Project (MaMoni MNCSP) which aims to improve equitable access to quality maternal and newborn care services in 17 districts reaching 35 million people. This builds on previous work under the USAID MaMoni Health Systems Strengthening Project (2013-2018).
• Through MaMoni MNCSP’s “Emergency Response to COVID-19 Pandemic” activity, we also work to strengthen the health system response to community transmission of COVID-19, minimize health risks to individuals, and avoid adverse health outcomes.
• We led the advocacy and development of a country-wide community health worker strategy.
• We lead the coalition that helped provide 48 million pneumonia vaccinations since 2015.
• Through our Resourcing Families for Better Nutrition approach, we’re making significant improvements in mother and child health, resulting in a 7% reduction in stunting.
• We successfully advocated for a public health budget increase of 18%, with 39% designated for children.

The opportunity to learn

• Save the Children is committed to ensuring every child learns, educating more children in the last decade than any other charity (2020).
• In Bangladesh, we’re providing preschool access and parenting training for garment factory workers and their children.
• We led the Reading Enhancement for Advancing Development (READ) project that reached over half a million learners.
• Save the Children is a global leader in expanding economic prospects for vulnerable youth, including transitioning from school to work and improving work opportunities.
• Through our Skills to Succeed program, we’re helping at-risk Bangladeshi youth gain the skills and access the opportunities to secure a job or build a business, with recommendations based on our recent gender analysis.

Protection from harm

• Save the Children in Bangladesh is focusing on non-violent discipline and child-friendly environments, particularly in schools, including advocating for new laws, training teachers and parents, and encouraging “little doctors” to protect themselves.
• We’re actively advocating to end child marriage under any circumstances.

Innovation

• Through our innovative Kolorob app, Save the Children is helping vulnerable children and families in the poorest, urban areas of Bangladesh access vital health, education and protection services.

Emergency response

• Save the Children is the global leader in child-focused humanitarian response.
• In Bangladesh, our humanitarian relief experts responded during the devastating 2017 and 2018 monsoon floods, addressing urgent needs and restoring essentials, such as clean water, access to education and families’ livelihoods, reaching tens of thousands of people.
• We continue to help vulnerable communities improve their capacity to cope with crisis.