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Challenges they are Facing:
High poverty rate
Income inequality
Droughts and water scarcity
Energy crisis
Food insecurity
Good Health and Well-Being:
The health system in Bangladesh is currently facing a dual challenge: a high burden of diseases combined with low service coverage and insufficient financial protection mechanisms. This is a significant issue, as the country's weak health system struggles to manage numerous health conditions, provides inadequate access to care, and lacks a robust safety net, leaving millions without the assistance they need when they fall ill.
Health financing in Bangladesh is severely underfunded, with only 2.64% of the gross domestic product (GDP) allocated to health care, the lowest in the South Asia region. This limited investment means the country does not have the resources necessary to deliver quality health care, putting millions at risk.
The health infrastructure in Rangpur is considered underdeveloped, with approximately eight hospital beds available per 10,000 people, which is slightly lower than the national average of 8.3 beds. Additionally, there are only about five health workers available per 10,000 people, significantly below the World Health Organization's recommended minimum of 23 health workers per 10,000 people.
Residents of rural and peri-urban areas face further challenges due to poor road conditions and inadequate transportation options. During the monsoon season, accessing health facilities becomes even more difficult, as some roads become impassable due to flooding.
Although Bangladesh has initiated programs such as the Shasthyo Surokhsha Karmasuchi (SSK) to improve health coverage for the underprivileged, it is estimated that only 5% of the population in Rangpur is covered by this scheme.
Zero Hunger:
"Nearly 30% of the population faces moderate or severe food insecurity, compared to the national average of just over 21%.” Many groups of people are constantly struggling with hunger and receiving the nutrients they need to survive.
Other countries are being monitored and their problems are being addressed, but what about smaller communities that are underfunded and constantly struggling?
In 2015, 22.6 percent of Bangladeshi babies were born with low birth weight (NNS 2017), and there is evidence that this condition contributes to child stunting. Stunting begins even before birth; for example, according to a study of children in the urban slums of Bangladesh, the length of babies at the time of birth and socioeconomic status independently influenced stunting at age 12–24 months, whereas dietary diversity and exclusive breastfeeding did not show significant effects (Islam et al. 2018)
Agricultural and home gardening projects have demonstrated some success in improving food production, consumption, and nutrition.
The authors conclude that success in this area can be achieved with economic growth and attention to "nutrition-sensitive" sectors such as education, sanitation, and health, even without the successful implementation of large-scale nutrition programs.
According to data from 1996–2011, the increased rice yields associated with the Green Revolution helped raise calorie availability and boost children's weight; however, no effect on children's height was found, and improvements in dietary diversity were limited.
Clean Water and Sanitation:
"To meet irrigation, approximately 75% of water demand was sourced from ground water which led to a sharp rise in the ratio of surface to ground water which was not sustainable from both the environment and climate change perspective." Overusing groundwater for irrigation is damaging the environment, worsening climate impacts, and putting future water supplies at serious risk, yet no one has said anything about it.
"Rangpur division has been suffering from a shortage of rainwater, approximately 13%, in monsoon season." A 13% drop in monsoon rainfall in Rangpur weakens farming, reduces water availability, and increases the risk of drought and food insecurity.
Around 47% of the population now has access to safely managed drinking water (MICS, 2019). Only 45.3% of households have access to sanitary toilets with a water seal (BBS, 2019), and 35% of the population has basic handwashing facilities at home (Unicef, WHO, 2018).
In the monsoon period (June to mid-October), floods occur almost every year. The level of floodwater submerges the sewage system, breaking it down and leading to water contamination. This contaminated water consumption poses an acute health risk to community members. Unavailability of water during the drought season compelled people to consume less safe water, which not only harms their health but also increases the likelihood of other health risks.
Underfunded areas often receive inadequate attention to the ongoing problems they have faced for many years, which is why we are spreading awareness about different places around the world that usually go overlooked and ignored. We want to help these places as much as we can, and even a single dollar donation means a lot to them. So please help and support us! Make a positive change in the world.
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