UNSADP – Bangladesh
Facts about Bangladesh:
History:
 Formerly East Pakistan, Bangladesh came into being only
in 1971
 Bangladesh spent 15 years under military rule and
democracy was restored in 1990
 Political tensions have spilled over into violence;
hundreds of people have been killed in recent years.
 Bangladesh has been criticised for its human rights
record, with particular concern about assaults on women
and allegations that police use torture against those in
custody.
 In 1970 a cyclone killed more than 300,000 people along the coast,
and in 2007 Cyclone Sidr caused thousands of deaths along with
significant damage to the country's infrastructure.
Geography:
 Gas reserves both on and offshore keeps the hope for a good future.
 The low-lying country is vulnerable to flooding and
cyclones and it stands to be badly affected by predicted
rises in sea levels.
 Dhaka is the capital city
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It's also home to many spectacular river-swimming Bengal tigers.
Threatened
the largest river delta in the world,
Inhabitant information:
 164.4 million people live in Bangladesh within an area of
143,998 sq km.
 Life expectancy is 67 years (men), 69 years (women)
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Main language is Bengali; major religions are Islam and Hinduism.
Main exports are Garments, fish, jute goods, leather
products
 Literacy is 43 percent
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almost half of all Bangladeshis live on less than $1 a day
Current situation:
 Unable to meet the demand for jobs because it’s over
populated.
People seek work abroad, sometimes illegally. The
country is trying to diversify its economy, with industrial
development a priority. Overseas investors have pumped
money into manufacturing
 There has been a debate about whether the reserves
should be kept for domestic use or exported. Some
international energy companies are involved in the gas
sector.
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Bangladesh is one of the most crowded places on the planet.
Needs:
 Improved infrastructure
 Protection against floods and cyclones.
 education
 medicine
PROGRAMS FOR IMPROVEMENT
1. Investment in medicine for treatments for diseases such as Trachoma, which
exists in south Asia. Promoting the SAFE-strategy, which is also used in Ethiopia.
2. Infrastructures that are resistant against flooding, cyclones and earthquakes
during the monsoon.
3. Investing in new education techniques, new materials. 43% literacy.
4. Invest in industry, provide jobs, and using raw materials for export and
trading, leading to a more stable economy.