United Nations in Bangladesh

The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Bangladesh:

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Speech

03 November 2024

"The efforts over the past 50 years have helped to build Bangladesh, to place it firmly on the multilateral stage, and to move ahead" - Ms. Gwyn Lewis

Thank you for joining us for the launch of the exhibition “A Promise for Future Generations: 50 years of Bangladesh in the United Nations”, held on the occasion of UN Day 2024. It is a great pleasure to welcome you all this evening to the new UN House, which will become Dhaka HQ for 12 UN entities starting this December. The images in this exhibition date back to the early 1970s when the UN first came to the assistance of refugees fleeing the former East Pakistan, all the way through to the momentous events of 2024. With photo contributions from the official UN archive, from UN entities working in Bangladesh, and from the image library of Drik Gallery, we have sought to tell two intertwined stories: the growth of Bangladesh as a UN member state across five decades; and the role that the UN has played to support the people of Bangladesh over the same period. The exhibition includes images of Bangladeshi peacekeepers deployed to UN missions overseas, and a series of moving photos depicting the generosity that Bangladesh has shown to the Rohingya people. You will note that the title of the exhibition is forward looking.More than anything, the partnership between the UN and Bangladesh is an investment for future generations. The official anniversary of Bangladesh joining the UN as a member state fell on 17 September this year, just a few days before the Summit of the Future took place in New York. The outcome documents of the Summit, including the Pact for the Future and the annex “Declaration for Future Generations”, chart a revived multilateral course. In looking towards our next decade of partnership, the UN and Bangladesh together have a duty to today’s young people and children to continue to work towards achieving the vision of the Summit. We just farewelled the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, who visited Bangladesh this week. In his remarks to students at Dhaka University on Tuesday, he said it is young people who have led the way to the “historic opportunity” that Bangladesh now has before it. The High Commissioner said that it is young people who give him hope for the future. In preparing these remarks tonight, I wanted to share some thoughts from the young UN staff in my own office. When asked to reflect on their experiences working for the UN in Bangladesh, they speak of pride in being part of an organization dedicated to the progress and empowerment of the Bangladeshi people, particularly women and children. They describe the UN-Bangladesh partnership as a source of hope and energy, driving progress towards a prosperous and equitable Bangladesh. They speak of the privilege of engaging deeply with this country's development coordination landscape. We are proud to mark this UN Day in solidarity with the men and women, young people, girls and boys of Bangladesh. The efforts over the past 50 years have helped to build this country, to place it firmly on the multilateral stage, and to move ahead in leaps and bounds towards the Sustainable Development Goals. And it is to the youth of Bangladesh that we would like to dedicate this exhibition because it is their vision that we are duty bound to take forward. I would like to thank the colleagues from across the UN agencies who have worked to pull together this wonderful display under the stewardship of Dr. Shahidul Alam and the dedicated team at Drik Gallery. Thank you to the Additional Secretary for being here as our Chief Guest and to all of you for joining us. Congratulations to the Interim Government on the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh in the United Nations, and happy UN Day to all!

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Press Release

05 November 2024

Establishing a quality care system in Bangladesh is a cornerstone for gender equality and social justice

Salma*, a young garment worker moved to Dhaka from Comilla along with her partner four years ago and they have an eight-month-old son now. They both found work in the same factory. The factory provided maternity leave and benefits during the birth of their child, and Salma returned to work after two months leave. She initially put her son in the daycare facility in the factory. With two breastfeeding breaks during work, Salma was able to ensure her child was exclusively breastfed for six months. While the daycare facility was free of charge, commuting with a young child was challenging. She recently opted for home-based childcare in her neighbourhood, leaving her son in the care of a woman until they return home from work. This service alone costs them BDT 4,000 per month, a significant portion of the family’s expenses given their combined monthly household income is BDT 35,000.Shafiq* is a sales manager in a pharmaceutical company, and lives in Dhaka with his family, including his aged mother who needs support with her daily activities. Although his wife, Shefa*, is an accounting graduate from the University of Dhaka, both Shafiq and Shefa decided that Shefa would leave her bank job to take care of Shafiq’s mother. Shefa hopes to return to her job someday. However, taking care of Shafiq’s mother remains a priority for the family at present.Rahmat* and Rehana* migrated from Mymensingh in search of work, and now live in Dhaka with their three daughters aged eight, six and two years. Rehana is a domestic worker, while Rahmat is a rickshaw puller. Rehana’s eldest daughter is yet to start school, as she must look after her two younger siblings, while her parents work. While Rahmat and Rehana would like to send their daughters to school someday soon, they are currently unable to find an arrangement to look after the youngest, so all three girls stay home. These are some stories of working Bangladeshi families highlighting challenges related to the absence of a comprehensive care system. With the changes in the nature of work, migration, inflation and climate change, the care arrangements of the past that heavily rely on families are no longer appropriate for today’s world of work. While Bangladesh continues to promote women’s economic participation, traditional approaches to care hinging on women as the primary caregivers in families remain prevalent. This limits women’s opportunities to get an education and skills required to establish their own businesses or enter and remain in workforce and contribute to the national economy. The country’s women’s participation rate in the labour force is low at 21.25 per cent.While new care solutions are being introduced by communities and entrepreneurs, their cost render them inaccessible to most families. The current care system needs to be reformed to ensure better supply, assured quality, accessibility and affordability for all. The government provides some child, elderly and disability care services but their reach is limited . For example, the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs is currently running some 63 public funded childcare centres across the country. Further, the Bangladesh Labour Act 2006 makes legal provisions for employers to ensure workplaces have childcare facilities, either on-site or off-site. A comprehensive care system would bring together people, institutions, and resources, both public and private, to deliver childcare, elderly care, healthcare, employment injury and rehabilitation support, and assistance for persons with disabilities and special needs. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) Workers with Family Responsibilities Convention, 1981 (No 156) recognises the role of state, employers and workers organisations in providing care services to improve the quality of life of the workers, including their choice of productive work and employment. It highlights the importance of meaningful engagement of workers and their communities when planning and creating care-related solutions to ensure that they are efficient, accessible and truly cater to users’ needs. Professionalization of care work is essential for providing quality services. Currently, most care occupations and workers are not recognised in law as workers. This maintains informality, produces poor working conditions and provides limited opportunities for skills development and career advancement. Standardisation of care work and organising the care workforce to ensure that their voices are heard and incorporated when designing decent and dignified working conditions in care occupations is needed. Going forwards, the government, the private sector and workers need to establish together a roadmap for change so that the current care burden on women can be reduced through development of a care system that can serve the needs for a growing economy and social protection for all in Bangladesh. * Not their real namesThis Op-Ed was first published in The Daily Star on the International Day of Care and Support.

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Press Release

30 August 2024

Seven years since the Rohingya refugee influx in Bangladesh, UNHCR reminds need for international solidarity

As we mark seven years since the large-scale Rohingya refugee arrival, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, once again calls for sustained commitment from international partners to support the protection of nearly one million Rohingya hosted by Bangladesh, and to help secure solutions for a lasting end to their plight. On 25 August 2017, some 700,000 Rohingya men, women and children were forced to flee Myanmar and seek protection in Bangladesh, joining those who had fled in previous years. The generosity by the Government and the people of Bangladesh in providing the Rohingya temporary refuge was supported by the international community and has been critical in meeting the refugees’ protection and basic needs, alongside assistance provided to local hosting communities. But in recent months security issues and funding uncertainties undermine all but the most critical and lifesaving assistance. In Myanmar’s Rakhine state, the escalated conflict has only worsened conditions for the Rohingya. Many remain stateless with limited access to higher education and jobs, and vulnerable to violence. Yet refugees in Bangladesh continue to say that they long to return to their homes and villages when it is safe to do so. A dignified and sustainable return to Myanmar remains the primary solution to this crisis. We call on the international community to demonstrate the political will to make this possible.We also call on the Bangladesh authorities to ensure that civilians fleeing the violence in Myanmar be allowed access to protection in Bangladesh.Like all of us, the Rohingya aspire for better futures, not determined by religion, race, or the socio-economic conditions of their birth. In Cox’s Bazar and on Bhasan Char, 52 per cent of the refugee population are under 18 years old, many of them born in asylum or having spent their first years in refugee camps. With meaningful support and opportunities, they are capable of immense achievement. We must invest in Rohingya children, youth, women and girls, empowering them to lift their own communities. Through partnership and collective action, we can counter the harmful impacts of generations of violence and deprivation, including the harm caused by exploitative organized groups who prey on vulnerable youth in the camps.Already, thousands of Rohingya have taken positively to trainings and responsibilities to support critical services in the camps, including legal counseling, mental health, community health work, operation and maintenance of water and sanitation infrastructure, shelter repair, as well as serving as first responders to weather and fire incidents. Enhancing resilience through skills, education and livelihoods programmes is critical to helping the refugees to stand on their own feet and move beyond aid dependency. UNHCR calls on stakeholders to continue their support for refugees’ self-reliance.In 2024, humanitarian agencies have appealed for $852 million to assist 1.35 million people, including Rohingya refugees and hosting Bangladeshi communities. We urge donors and private actors to step up their funding to the Rohingya response. The Rohingya people deserve our best, as do the generous people of Bangladesh who cannot be left to shoulder this crisis alone.FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Shari Yasmin Nijman; nijman@unhcr.org

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Press Release

13 September 2024

IFAD’s new Country Director for Bangladesh reassures continuous support in transforming rural economy

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) remains deeply committed to improving the lives and livelihoods of rural communities by boosting agricultural productivity, increasing rural incomes, and empowering smallholders and farmers, women, and youth, said Dr Valantine Achancho, IFAD's newly appointed Country Director for Bangladesh.“Bangladesh has incredible potential for agriculture and transforming rural communities. I am excited to collaborate with the government, our partners, and local communities to strengthen agricultural systems and improve lives nationwide. By working together, we can create sustainable growth and give smallholder farmers the support they need to overcome challenges and thrive,” said Achancho while presenting his credentials to Md Touhid Hossain, Adviser to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Government of Bangladesh on Wednesday.Before coming to Bangladesh, Achancho served as IFAD Country Director and Representative for the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo from 2020 to 2024 and has previously held the same position for Niger, Burkina Faso, and Chad. He also served as IFAD Country Programme Officer for Cameroon and Gabon, and Programme Officer for the Indian Ocean region, contributing to rural development projects in the Sahel and Congo basin, mobilising co-financing, and strengthening partnerships with governments, donors, and civil society to improve rural livelihoods.In his new role as Country Director for Bangladesh, Achancho will be advocating for and enhancing national government programmes that strengthen climate resilience in vulnerable rural communities through infrastructure and climate-smart agriculture, while enhancing access to finance, technology, and markets for smallholders and marginalized groups to diversify the economy and create rural jobs.“I am dedicated to collaborating with our partners to empower rural communities, enabling them to adapt to climate change, tackle economic challenges, and build sustainable livelihoods for long-term resilience,” says Achancho.Before joining IFAD in 2011, Achancho was deputy director of farmers’ professional organizations and cooperative movement, and senior engineer in charge of prospective analysis and agricultural policies in the Ministry of Agriculture in Cameroon. His earlier positions include national coordinator for Agence Française de Développement (AFD) funded project, visiting lecturer at the Faculty of Agronomy of the University of Dschang in Cameroon, and consultant for IFAD, the Word Bank and European Union operations. He holds a PhD in Sociology for Development from the Paris Institute of Technology for Life, Food and Environmental Sciences.Since 1978, IFAD has supported the Government of Bangladesh in its ambitious rural development goals. Over the past 45 years, IFAD has supported 37 projects, mobilizing USD 3.9 billion in financing, to improve the lives and livelihoods of more than 11 million families.Today, IFAD’s programme in Bangladesh is one of its largest. Currently, IFAD has an investment of USD 519 million in Bangladesh, distributed across six ongoing projects implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, the Local Government Engineering Department, the Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation, and the Bangladesh Water Development Board. Media Contact: Farhana Urmee, f.urmee@IFAD.org

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Press Release

30 August 2024

Two million children at risk as worst floods in three decades lash through eastern Bangladesh

DHAKA, 30 August 2024 – Over two million children in eastern Bangladesh are at risk as floods sweep through homes, schools and villages, UNICEF has warned. In all, these floods, the worst in eastern Bangladesh in 34 years, have affected 5.6 million people.Major rivers in the southeast are overflowing due to unprecedented monsoon rains. As a result, more than 52 people have been reported dead. Over 500,000 people are seeking shelter, after rising waters from swollen rivers submerged homes, streets and fields in Chattogram and Sylhet Divisions. Millions of children and families are stranded without food and emergency relief supplies. Government personnel and volunteers are conducting rescue operations, though access remains difficult in some areas. In the coming days, more people will be affected as the monsoon season continues.“The devastating floods in the eastern parts of Bangladesh are a tragic reminder of the relentless impact of extreme weather events and the climate crisis on children. Far too many children have lost loved ones, their homes, schools, and now are completely destitute,” said Emma Brigham, Deputy Representative of UNICEF Bangladesh. “UNICEF is on the frontlines providing water purification tablets, oral rehydration salts and other essential supplies, but more funds are needed to reach these children and prevent an even more devastating impact on their futures.”UNICEF has been on the ground since the onset of the disaster. Having joined an initial assessment mission with the Advisor to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, Hasan Arif, UNICEF with its partners has reached over 338,000 people, including 130,000 children, with life-saving supplies such as 3.6 million water purification tablets, 25,000 jerry-cans to store water and over 250,000 oral rehydration salt sachets.But much more is needed. People and children urgently require cash assistance, safe drinking water, hygiene kits, emergency latrines, sanitary pads, oral rehydration salts and emergency life-saving medicines. Primary healthcare services to treat sick newborns and children and help pregnant women to give birth must be restored immediately.The recent floods come close on the heels of the floods in north Bangladesh and Cyclone Remal in May. Jointly, the three emergencies have impacted over 13 million people across Bangladesh, including 5 million children.In response to these three emergencies, UNICEF urgently requires up to US$35.3 million for critical, life-saving, and multi-sectoral interventions for children, as well as pregnant and lactating women.Climate change increases the frequency, severity and unpredictability of cyclones, floods and other extreme weather events affecting Bangladesh, underscoring that the climate crisis is fundamentally a child rights crisis. According to the UNICEF Children’s Climate Risk Index, children in Bangladesh are the most exposed in the world to climate and environmental hazards.Globally, UNICEF addresses the climate crisis to:a) protect the lives, health and well-being of children;b) empower every child to become a champion for the environment; andc) reduce the emissions and environmental footprint.“Year on year, the lives of millions of children in Bangladesh are being ravaged by floods, heatwaves and cyclones. Climate change is clearly changing children’s lives,” adds Brigham. “We call on global leaders to act urgently, and take strong measures to mitigate the effects of climate change, before it is too late for children.” For more information, please contact: Faria Selim; Communication Specialist, UNICEF Bangladesh; fselim@unicef.org

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Story

12 January 2026

WHO’s Scabies Campaign Halves Prevalence, Bringing Relief to Nearly One Million Rohingya Refugees

For seven-year-old Rafiq, life in the world’s largest refugee settlement meant sleepless nights and painful sores. “He couldn’t rest at night, and the scratching made his skin bleed,” his mother recalls.Their experience reflects thousands of Rohingya families suffering from scabies, a highly contagious skin condition that spreads rapidly in overcrowded settings.A Growing Public Health ChallengeA WHO-led survey in May 2023 found nearly 39% of the refugee population affected, far above the threshold for urgent public health action. While scabies is not life-threatening, persistent scratching can break the skin, allowing bacteria such as Group A Streptococcus to cause secondary infections like impetigo and cellulitis. In rare cases, these infections can trigger acute kidney inflammation, creating long-term health risks.Figure 1. Camp-wise Distribution of Scabies Cases – Prevalence Survey, June 2023.A Landmark Public Health ResponseFrom November 2023 to February 2024, WHO, in collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh and health partners, led the world’s largest scabies MDA campaign, reaching nearly one million Rohingya refugees across 33 camps in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char Island. Health workers distributed over 5.2 million ivermectin tablets and 185,000 tubes of permethrin cream, following WHO guidelines for children, pregnant women, and people with underlying conditions.“WHO recommends MDA as a proven strategy to stop scabies when implemented with high coverage,” said Dr David Otieno, WHO Epidemiology Team Lead in Cox’s Bazar. “Strong coordination, technical guidance, and community engagement were critical to success.”Mobilizing Communities and Building Local CapacityWHO trained 100 healthcare professionals, 130 supervisors, and over 1,600 volunteers to deliver Directly Observed Therapy. The campaign prioritized inclusion, reaching older people, women, persons with disabilities, and households in remote areas.“Families were anxious at first,” said Fatima, a community health worker in Camp 18. “But when they saw their children’s skin clearing, they became relieved. It gave them back their peace of mind.”WHO co-chaired the MDA Implementation Advisory Committee with government authorities and Health and WASH sectors. Micro-plans were developed, high-risk areas mapped, and 68 storage sites established to maintain a steady supply of medicines.
Overcoming Operational ChallengesDelivering two treatment rounds to nearly one million people required careful coordination. WHO mobilized partner support, secured drug donations, and bridged operational funding gaps.“We are grateful to partners including MAP International for donating over three million tablets and the U.S. Department of State for supporting operational costs,” said Dr Jorge Martinez, former Head of the WHO Sub-Office in Cox’s Bazar.Coverage was achieved across Ukhiya, Teknaf, and Bhasan Char, ensuring even the most vulnerable families received timely treatment.Measurable ImpactWithin weeks, health workers observed a sharp decline in scabies consultations. Preliminary post-MDA survey results show prevalence fell to 19.2%, nearly half of the previous 39.6%. Families also reported fewer complications, particularly secondary bacterial infections such as impetigo and cellulitis, which previously caused clinic overcrowding and heightened health risks for children.Figure 2. Post-MDA Scabies Prevalence in Rohingya Camps indicating a reduction of prevalence from 39.6% to 19.2%. March 2025The campaign strengthened community trust and encouraged earlier care-seeking. WHO-supported surveillance tools enabled faster detection and response, reducing the risk of infections arising from persistent scratching.“After the treatment, Rafiq sleeps peacefully,” his mother said. “We can finally focus on school, play, and daily life instead of scratching.”“This MDA demonstrates WHO’s commitment to improving the health and well-being of Rohingya refugees,” said Dr Jamsheed Mohamed, WHO Representative to Bangladesh. “It shows what is possible when science, partnership, and community action align.”Sustaining the GainsThe campaign marked a turning point, but ongoing effort is needed to prevent resurgence. WHO continues to support follow-up surveys, community-based surveillance, hygiene promotion, and health education. Integrated WASH actions help families recognize early symptoms, adopt preventive behaviours, and seek timely care.In 2025, WHO distributed over 257,000 ivermectin tablets, 9,400 bottles of permethrin lotion, and 26,000 tubes of cream to health partners to sustain gains.“This campaign was more than medicine. It brought hope,” said Fatima. “People are living comfortably again. That changes everything.”Through evidence-based action and strong partnerships, WHO and partners have significantly reduced scabies and related infections among nearly one million Rohingya refugees, restoring comfort, improving well-being, and strengthening trust in health services. This campaign demonstrates that even in the most challenging humanitarian settings, coordinated, science-driven efforts can protect health, prevent complications, and transform lives.For further information about this publication, please contact Terence Ngwabe Che, External Communication Officer, WHO Bangladesh, Cox’s Bazar Sub Office, at chet@who.int

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Story

11 January 2026

When Our Children Learn, the Whole Village Earns

I had never attended a workshop like this before. When my elder daughter’s teacher told me that UNESCO and NAEM were arranging a session on education in Cox’s Bazar, I was not sure what to expect. But she said it would help parents understand why learning matters, so I decided to go. I took both my daughters; 15-year-old Tasmin, who studies in class nine, and little Kobra, who will start school next year. The room was bright and full of people. Teachers, parents, students, and government officers sat around tables covered with yellow papers and pens. On the big screen at the front, colourful graphs and charts appeared. I didn’t understand everything, but one line caught my heart, “If learning stops, the loss continues for generations.” The presenter said this came from a global study called The Price of Inaction Report 2024. He explained that many children in Bangladesh either leave school too early or complete it without learning basic skills. Because of that, the country could lose 17 percent of its national income by 2030. Seventeen percent sounded like a small number, but when he said it meant billions of dollars, I thought of my own family. My husband works at the land registration office in Cox’s Bazar. Some months are steady, others are not. I realised how fragile life can be when opportunities depend on education. The speaker also said that when a child stops learning, it affects everyone, not just one family. The government collects less tax, communities face higher risks of unemployment, and society suffers more problems like early marriage and crime. I had never imagined education that way. For me, it was always about grades, exams, and fees. But that day, I saw it differently as something that shapes a safer, stronger community. During group work, a teacher shared that many students lose interest in science because they cannot connect lessons to real life. Another parent said her son spends too much time helping at the family store instead of studying. Listening to them made me think of my daughters Tasmin, who dreams of becoming a doctor, and Kobra, who already pretends to “teach” her dolls at home. When the facilitator asked if anyone wanted to speak, I stood up. My voice shook, but I said, “We always say we cannot afford school. Maybe we cannot afford not to send our children.” For a moment, the room was quiet, and then there was soft applause. I felt something change inside me. Later, a woman from UNESCO talked about how every year of schooling adds to a person’s confidence and future earnings. She said when parents understand this, they do not just send their children to school, they protect their dreams. I looked at my girls sitting next to me and thought, this is why I came here. When the workshop ended, people stood chatting in small circles. I did not want to leave. The charts and numbers I had seen were still running through my mind, but now they looked like faces, like my own daughters’ faces. Before we left, one of the organisers asked, “What message will you take home?” I smiled and said, “Today I learned that education isn’t far from our lives. it is our lives. When our children learn, the whole village earns.” Outside, the air smelled of sea salt. Tasmin looked up at me and said, “Ma, I will study harder from now on.” Kobra, still clutching her crayons, added, “And I’ll go to school like Apa.” I held both of them close. For the first time, I truly believed in their words and in mine.

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11 January 2026

Bangladesh: Bangladesh launches Bench Book to strengthen judicial response to human trafficking

In a significant milestone toward enhancing Bangladesh’s judicial response to human trafficking and promoting a victim-centred approach to justice, the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), launched the Bench Book for the Judiciary on Effective Criminal Justice Responses to Human Trafficking Cases at a ceremony in Dhaka. This government-led initiative represents a significant advancement in equipping the justice sector with practical tools to promote fair, consistent, and trauma-informed adjudication of trafficking in persons cases.Developed with the financial support of the European Union (EU) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the Bench Book serves as a comprehensive judicial reference tool to assist judges in adjudicating human trafficking cases effectively and consistently, while safeguarding the rights and dignity of victims.The publication was developed under the guidance of the Advisory Expert Committee, formed under the leadership of the Law and Justice Division, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, and through close collaboration with relevant justice sector stakeholders.The launch event brought together senior representatives from the judiciary, law enforcement, the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, the Ministry of Home Affairs, development partners, and international organizations.Chief Guest Mr. Liaquet Ali Molla, Secretary, Law and Justice Division, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, said: "The Bench Book aims to strengthen the capacity of judges presiding over the Anti-Human Trafficking Offence Tribunals established under the Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking Act, 2012. It provides practical guidance to ensure fair, efficient, and trauma-informed proceedings in line with national laws and international standards."Mr. Michal Krejza, Head of Cooperation, Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh stressed that, “The European Union is proud to support this initiative, which reinforces Bangladesh’s judicial response to human trafficking and our shared commitment to protecting victims and upholding fundamental rights. The Bench Book will help deliver fair, consistent and victim-centred judicial decisions across Bangladesh, thus strengthening the rule of law.”Ms. Sujin Kong, Deputy Country Director of KOICA Bangladesh, said: "KOICA is proud to support Bangladesh in strengthening justice sector responses to human trafficking and ensuring survivors receive the dignity and protection they deserve. The Bench Book launched today is a practical step toward more consistent, victim-centred judgments that hold traffickers fully accountable." Catherine Northing, Officer-in-Charge of IOM in Bangladesh and Jee Aei Lee, Deputy Project Coordinator of Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Section of UNODC HQ also delivered their remarks at the event among other speakers. For further information, please contact:From UNODC, Tasneem Binta Karim at Email: tasneem[at]karim[at]un[dot]org From IOM, Tarek MAHMUD at Email: tmahmud[at]iom[dot]int

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08 January 2026

Empowered to stand on their own

Originally published in The Daily Star. Click here to read the original StoryWhen her husband fell ill in 2013 and could no longer work, 36-year-old Moni Begum from Sherpur's Nakla upazila suddenly became the only earning member of her family. However, she refused to give up.Leaving her six-year-old son in the village, Moni moved to Dhaka and found work as a helper in the quality department of a garment factory in Ashulia. For seven years, she supported her family alone.By 2020, her own declining health forced her to return home, unsure of what to do next.Back in the village, Moni felt lost but determined. Her turning point came when she enrolled in SWAPNO, a social protection and employment programme for rural women facing extreme poverty -- widowed, divorced, abandoned, or with husbands unable to earnRun by the Local Government Division with technical assistance from UNDP since 2015, SWAPNO offers temporary public works jobs along with financial literacy, savings support, and livelihood training.According to project data, over 10,000 women have been employed under the public works component, each earning around Tk 75,000 during their term. More than 6,000 women have also completed skills training in livestock rearing, small business management, fish culture, and crop production, with many now running their own income-generating activities.For Moni, the programme was a chance to rebuild.She completed a week-long life-skills course at the Swopno Puron Training Centre in Sherpur, where she learned commercial duck rearing. Using Tk 30,000 saved from her wages, she bought 100 egg-laying ducks; within two years, her flock grew to 500."After all expenses, I earn about Tk 1,500 a day -- sometimes more," she said. "People now respect the work I do."Moni has even hired three women, including 26-year-old Lucky Akter, who had been abandoned by her husband. "This job means I can pay for my children's schooling. For the first time, I feel I can manage on my own," Lucky said. Elsewhere, the project has opened doors to trades traditionally dominated by men.In Laksham, Cumilla, 35-year-old Shilpi Rani Robidas wakes up before dawn for her apprenticeship at a local footwear manufacturer.Married at 15 to a man twice her age, she was widowed by cancer and left to raise two children with almost no income. She repaired shoes door-to-door, earning about Tk 300 a day, while also dealing with family estrangement.Under SWAPNO, she joined an apprenticeship placement and hopes to open a small shoe-making workshop. "If I can make and sell my own shoes, maybe I can finally bring some peace to my life," she said.The project also links women to formal sector jobs.In Cumilla, 33-year-old Shipra Rani Das -- divorced, a mother of a 10-year-old boy, and recently remarried -- has completed a two-month residential Sewing Machine Operation (SMO) training at AID Cumilla.She is among 2,208 women enrolled in industrial skills training; 483 have completed SMO training, and 171 have secured jobs in garment factories.Shipra, who survived physical violence and dowry demands in the previous marriage, said the training has given her the chance to earn a stable wage."Without this training, I would have had to join as a low-paid helper," she said. "Now, as a machine operator, I can earn more than twice that."SWAPNO is currently active in 283 Union Parishads across 12 districts, including Sherpur, Cumilla, Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, Rangpur, and Patuakhali.The project also runs a micro-health insurance scheme. So far, 10,371 women have enrolled using smartcards, with 781 claims and 11 death claims processed, according to UNDP Communication Associate Nusrat Mahmud Ananna.For many beneficiaries, the numbers matter less than the confidence the programme has restored.As Shipra said, "I don't want to endure violence again or depend on anyone. I've learned that no one can guarantee my safety or income -- only I can."

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08 January 2026

Climate Action That Pays: Innovative Insurance Securing Livelihoods in Bangladesh

Kurigram is a northern district of Bangladesh and a severely climate-vulnerable area. Floods, river erosion, droughts, and lightning are common phenomena here. The district experiences devastating floods – sometimes as many as five times in a single year. It washes out agricultural lands and damages crops, houses, and livestock – leaving a devastating aftermath on the communities.The Local Government Initiative on Climate Change (LoGIC) project, a collaboration between the Government of Bangladesh, UNDP, UNCDF, Sweden, and Denmark, has introduced a financial shield here, known as "crop insurance."©UNDP Bangladesh"I did not know that agricultural crops could be insured. I heard about this service for the first time from LoGIC Project", says Meghna Khatun, cashier of Jugnidah Jalabayu O Jibika Unnayan Shomobay Shomity Ltd of Kurigram in Bangladesh.It provides timely financial payouts to marginalised farmers and casual labourers after a disaster, helping them recover from lost wages and damaged crops. It prevents them from falling into the vicious cycle of poverty. "Crop insurance felt like a distant concept, and the local communities were not familiar with it. However, climate change made it essential," said Meghna. LoGIC Project and Green Delta Insurance Company (GDIC) signed an MoU and brought this sophisticated financial tool to grassroots cooperatives. Their initial focus was on maize and sheep cultivation.Around 2508 beneficiaries received BDT 4,76,661 (USD 3900) for maize cultivation losses caused by unfavourable weather. The money was not spent on any immediate consumption; it was reinvested in other Climate-Adaptive Livelihood Options (CALOs). This shows a transition from short-term relief to long-term economic strategy. The initiative has fostered a culture of risk management and financial planning, enabling families to maintain their daily lives without disrupting their regular livelihoods. The beneficiaries are motivated to reinvest and are now encouraging non-participants to join the system. Meghna Khatun's group invested BDT 18,238 (approximately USD 150) in maize cultivation and received a coverage of BDT 46,906 (approximately USD 383) for that. They have decided to continue covering any "green initiative" by insurance in the future, signifying success, ownership, and sustainability.Crop insurance, through the LoGIC Project, isn't just about recovering losses; it's about giving vulnerable communities the financial stability and confidence to innovate, reinvest, and secure their own future against a changing climate.For the first time, farmers in Kurigram can insure their crops—and their confidence.

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Press Release

01 January 2026

UN Chief issues New Year’s call to world leaders: “Get serious. Choose planet and people over pain.”

Monday, 29 December 2025, New York — Opening the year with an urgent appeal, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called on world leaders today to get “priorities straight” and invest in development, not destruction.“As we enter the new year, the world stands at a crossroads. Chaos and uncertainty surround us,” says Guterres in his message for 2026. “People everywhere are asking: Are leaders even listening? Are they ready to act?”Today, the scale of human suffering is staggering - over one-quarter of humanity lives in areas affected by conflict. More than 200 million people globally need humanitarian assistance, and nearly 120 million people have been forcibly displaced, fleeing war, crises, disasters or persecution. “As we turn the page on a turbulent year, one fact speaks louder than words: global military spending has soared to $2.7 trillion, growing by almost 10 per cent.”Yet, as humanitarian crises around the world intensify, global military spending is projected to more than double – from $2.7 trillion in 2024 to an astonishing $6.6 trillion by 2035 - if current trends persist. Data shows that $2.7 trillion is thirteen times the amount of all global development aid combined and is equivalent to the entire Gross Domestic Product of the continent of Africa. “On this New Year, let’s resolve to get our priorities straight. A safer world begins by investing more in fighting poverty and less in fighting wars. Peace must prevail,” urges Guterres.In September 2025, the Secretary-General, as requested by UN Member States in the 2024 Pact for the Future, launched a report that revealed a stark imbalance in global spending. Called The Security We Need: Rebalancing Military Spending for a Sustainable and Peaceful Future, the report examines the difficult trade-offs presented by the increasing global military spending, making a powerful case for investing in peace and in people's futures:· Less than 4% ($93 billion) of $2.7 trillion is needed annually to end world hunger by 2030.· A little over 10% ($285 billion) of $2.7 trillion could fully vaccinate every child.· $5 trillion could fund 12 years of quality education of every child in low- and lower-middle-income countries.· Spending $1 billion on the military creates 11,200 jobs, but the same amount creates 26,700 jobs in education, 17,200 in healthcare or 16,800 in clean energy.· Reinvesting 15% ($387 billion) of the $2.7 trillion is more than enough to cover the annual costs of climate change adaptation in developing countries.· Each dollar spent on the military generates over twice the greenhouse gas emissions of a dollar invested in civilian sectors. “It’s clear the world has the resources to lift lives, heal the planet, and secure a future of peace and justice,” says Guterres. “In 2026, I call on leaders everywhere: Get serious. Choose people and planet over pain.”“This New Year, let’s rise together: For justice. For humanity. For peace.”

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Press Release

19 December 2025

Bangladesh: Türk urges calm after killing of 2024 protest leader

GENEVA (19 December 2025) - UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk said today he was deeply troubled by the killing of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, a prominent leader of last year’s protests in Bangladesh, who died of his injuries after being shot last week.Türk called for calm and for everyone to refrain from violence.“Retaliation and revenge will only deepen divisions and undermine the rights of all,” he said.“I urge the authorities to conduct a prompt, impartial, thorough, and transparent investigation into the attack that led to Hadi’s death, and to ensure due process and accountability for those responsible.”Several protests erupted at various locations around the country after Hadi’s death was announced on Thursday, six days after he was shot. Some buildings were torched and vandalised, and a number of journalists have reportedly been assaulted.With the parliamentary elections scheduled for February, Türk said it was vital to ensure an environment in which all individuals can participate safely and peacefully in public life, and freely express different views.“I urge the authorities to uphold the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and security of journalists at this critical time, and prevent further escalation of unrest,” Türk said.The High Commissioner said his Office stands ready to work with the authorities and all stakeholders to support efforts that uphold human rights and prevent further violence. ENDSFor more information and media requests, please contact:In GenevaJeremy Laurence: +41 22 917 9383 / jeremy.laurence@un.orgThameen Al-Kheetan: + 41 22 917 4232 / thameen.alkheetan@un.orgIn NairobiSeif Magango : +254 78834 3897 / seif.magango@un.org WhatsAppX @UNHumanRightsFacebook unitednationshumanrightsInstagram @unitednationshumanrights

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Press Release

11 December 2025

IOM Launches First Nationwide Estimate of Disaster-Induced Internal Displacement in Bangladesh

Dhaka, 10 December 2025 — The International Organization for Migration (IOM-UN Migration), together with the Government of Bangladesh and development partners today launched its first comprehensive nationwide estimate of internally displaced persons (IDPs) caused by natural hazards. The findings offer a clear picture of how floods, cyclones, river erosion and other hazards continue to disrupt lives across Bangladesh.Bangladesh faces repeated natural hazards each year, but until now, there has been no verified nationwide estimate of how many people have been forced to leave their homes due to disasters. To close this gap, IOM carried out a nationwide assessment across all eight divisions, 64 districts, 4,579 unions, 329 municipalities and 480 city corporation wards. The assessment estimates that 4,955,527 people are currently internally displaced due to natural disasters. Data was collected between September and October 2025. The assessment collectively interviewed more than 29,000 key informants through 5,388 field visits, making it the most extensive exercise of its kind in Bangladesh.Speaking at the event, Lance Bonneau, Chief of Mission of IOM Bangladesh, said: “Understanding the scale of displacement is essential for effective disaster management and long-term planning. These findings give national authorities, local leaders and development partners a shared foundation to respond to displacement with greater clarity and coordination.”Key assessment findings include: two out of three IDPs (63%) were displaced before April 2020, pointing to long-term, unresolved displacement across the country. One in four IDPs (25%) were displaced between April 2020 and April 2024.The assessment found that Chattogram Division hosts the largest share of IDPs (1.21 million), followed by Dhaka (0.79 million) and Rajshahi (0.66 million). Four districts — Chattogram, Sirajganj, Bhola and Noakhali — account for a quarter of all displaced persons. Most IDPs (85%) live in rural union areas.Representatives of the Government of Bangladesh welcomed the report as a major step toward strengthening implementation of the National Strategy on Internal Displacement Management, which calls for regular, systematic data collection on displaced populations.Aleya Akter, Secretary of Statistics and Informatics Division, addressing as the chief guest, paid the remarks virtually. K M Abdul Wadud, Additional Secretary, Additional Secretary of Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR); Mohammad Navid Safiullah, Additional Secretary of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC); and Eva Atanassova from the European Union also paid their remarks among other speakers. The event included a presentation on the methodology, an official unveiling of the report and a panel discussion on how to incorporate IDP estimation into government data systems, featuring representatives from the Department of Disaster Management (DDM), Department of Environment (DoE), Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) and development partners.This initiative was made possible with support from the European Union, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, the IOM Development Fund and the Platform on Disaster Displacement.Partners who supported this initiative reaffirmed their commitment to work with Bangladesh in building more resilient and inclusive systems for disaster response. Representatives from the Government of Bangladesh and other partners also attended the event. The new estimate marks an important milestone in Bangladesh’s effort to better understand and address internal displacement. It will help guide policies on disaster preparedness, relocation planning, social protection, climate adaptation and long-term development. For more information, please contact Tarek Mahmud, Senior Media and Communication Associate of IOM Bangladesh, at tmahmud@iom.int or +880 1752 380 240

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Press Release

11 December 2025

Political Parties Sign Child Rights Manifesto, Pledge Investments and Policy Reforms in Response to Children’s and Young people’s Call for Action

Dhaka, 01 December 2025 – In a historic moment for the nation’s children, political parties have united to sign a Child Rights Manifesto, responding to the powerful voices of children and young people who have demanded a future where their rights are better respected and protected. At the launch today, the Child Rights Manifesto was signed by 12 political parties for the upcoming 2026 national elections(Amar Bangladesh Party, Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Socialist Party of Bangladesh Communist Party of Bangladesh, Gano Forum, Ganosamhati Andolon, Gono Odhikar Parishad, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Jatiyo Party, Khelafat Majlis, Nagorik Oikya and National Citizen Party), pledging action to address ten priority commitments designed to put childhood back on track in Bangladesh.The Manifesto is the result of an inclusive, multi-phase process engaging children, adolescents, and young people - including marginalized groups, those with disabilities, and indigenous communities - through digital platforms like U-Report and in-person consultations. Findings were validated with academia, civil society, private sector, and development partners, before briefings on the data and evidence and the draft commitments were presented to political party leaders to secure public commitments ahead of the national elections.It outlines practical goals that when implemented, will address the country’s most urgent child rights priorities, addressing the challenge to ensure that every child in Bangladesh survives, learns, and is protected. The commitments include: strengthening quality education, skills, nutrition, and primary healthcare, creating safer communities free from violence, abusive practices, and hazardous child labour, tackling child poverty, ensuring coordinated leadership and monitoring on critical issues, and addressing climate challenges that threaten their future. By signing the Manifesto, political parties commit to embedding these priorities into their policies and election agendas, and to act decisively once elected. Underpinning each commitment is verified national data that highlights those areas where the rights and well-being of Bangladesh's nearly 35% child population are most at stake.“Children have spoken loudly and clearly: their future cannot wait. Today’s signing of the Child Rights Manifesto is a promise to turn words into action, and action into hope. The Manifesto outlines clear, achievable change for children today that drives human capital development and will result in a stronger Bangladesh tomorrow. The most recent data tells us with urgency and clarity where children are being left behind. With UNICEF support, the leadership of the political parties has studied the data and the evidence on critical challenges facing children in Bangladesh, they have debated the gaps, and where the investments are needed, and today they are not making a hollow commitment, they are signing publicly to express a new era; a revamped agenda for children. Unlike other manifestos, these promises are rooted in evidence and are based on a call from the most vulnerable and often least heard. Today’s signing represents a lifeline for millions of children whose futures depend on the right decisions and investments the political leaders will make,” said Rana Flowers, UNICEF Representative in Bangladesh.The 10 non-negotiable commitments are grounded in the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and prioritize structural reforms across key sectors to transform the situation of children in Bangladesh:1. Closing the Gap in Child SurvivalStrengthen and reduce fragmentation of primary health care services in rural and urban areas, addressing child wasting, including by the provision of locally-produced specialized therapeutic food.The rise in wasting from 9.8% to 12.9% and the low rate of early antenatal care (46%) show critical gaps in primary health and nutrition services that directly threaten child survival. These findings reinforce the urgency of strengthening primary health care and expanding access to specialized therapeutic food to prevent malnutrition and save lives.2. A Safe Bangladesh for ChildrenMake communities safer, including by removing exceptions to child marriage law in line with the UNCRC, strengthening law enforcement and systems to end violence against women and children and acting immediately to eradicate hazardous child labour.The rise in child labour to 9.2%, the persistently high rate of child marriage (47.2%), and the alarming prevalence of violent discipline (86%) reveal how unsafe many environments are for children in Bangladesh. This data underscores the urgent need to protect the dignity of girls and boys, protecting them from the abuses that are evident in child marriage by removing legal loopholes the allow this cultural practice, strengthening law enforcement and protection systems, and taking immediate action to eliminate hazardous child labour.3. Quality and Inclusive Education for all childrenEnsure nine years of free, quality, compulsory education, along with one year of free and compulsory quality pre-primary education; to close learning gaps, bridging the digital divide, and strengthening transferable skills. Increase opportunities to acquire skills for employment.With only 28.6% of children in Grades 2–3 able to read and just 21.2% demonstrating basic numeracy, the learning crisis is deep and widespread. Sharp drops in attendance after primary school further highlight the need for nine years of free, compulsory, and quality education, supported by digital access and skills development, to ensure every child can learn, progress, and thrive. Efforts to end child labour are rooted in improved and compulsory education and strengthened skills for employment.4. Social Protection Coverage for every childAddress poverty by introducing a child grant for the most vulnerable children aged 0-6 years.It is critical to address fragmentation and improve the reach and targeting of social protection, including expanding the Mother and Child Benefit Programme to cover all adolescent mothers under 20 and increasing total beneficiaries by 50% by 2027. The commitment underscores the urgent need for a stronger, more inclusive social protection system. Introducing a child grant for vulnerable children aged 0–6 would complement this expansion, supporting parents to care and protect, ensuring that the youngest and most at-risk children are protected from poverty and have a fair start in life.5. A Climate-Resilient Bangladesh for ChildrenProtect children affected and displaced by climate hazards by ensuring access to safe, climate-resilient, and low-carbon schools, healthcare, water, and sanitation services & reducing pollution and heat exposure.With around 20 million children in Bangladesh exposed to climate shocks and hazards, and one in ten households experiencing disruptions to drinking water due to natural disasters in the past year, the climate crisis is also a child rights crisis. Ensuring access to safe, climate-resilient schools, healthcare, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services is critical to protect children and safeguard their well-being.6. Better Water and Sanitation ServicesUnify all water and sanitation functions under one accountable ministry, with responsibility for infrastructure upgrades, water recycling, and safe sanitation for every child, with special attention to health & education facilities.The high levels of contamination, over 80% of household samples testing positive for E. coli, highlight the urgent need for improved water safety. Limited access to safely managed drinking water (39.3%) and basic sanitation coverage (73%) underscores the importance of unifying water and sanitation functions under one accountable ministry to ensure safe WASH services for every child, especially in schools and health facilities.7. A future of opportunities for every child in BangladeshReview and address access to quality social services for vulnerable populations, including indigenous and minority groups. For Rohingya refugee children and young people, provide portable skills as they prepare for a safe, voluntary, and dignified return to their homeland.For Rohingya Refugee Children and Youth, it is key to protect education, ensuring accreditation and continuity of learning, while maintaining humanitarian support and protect child services, and investing in skills, livelihoods and community resilience, including vocational training for adolescents and youth, including young women, to enhance self-reliance and preparedness for return.For Children in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and Other Minority Communities, it is key to promote equitable access to quality education and child-centered social services in Health, Nutrition, WASH and Protection.8. End Invisible Children in Bangladesh (Birth Registration)Improve the process to access birth registration for children in Bangladesh without charge to ensure every child has an identity and access to every service.With only 59% of children under five registered and just 47% having a birth certificate, millions of children in Bangladesh remain invisible. Ensuring free and accessible birth registration is essential for every child to claim their identity and access vital services.9. A budget that reflects children needsPrioritize social sector allocations, reaching overtime 5% of the GDP for each of the following sectors: education and primary healthcare.Current investment for children in Bangladesh’s social sectors falls short of global recommendations, with 4–6% of GDP suggested for education and at least 5% for health. Evidence also shows that investing in child protection yields significant returns—each dollar invested produces ninefold social and economic benefits, highlighting the critical need for a child-focused budget that reflects these priorities.10. Reporting on Children and Youth Commitments: Conduct a review of the Children´s Act, with a view to identifying contradictions, existing gaps in laws and implementation of policies affecting children to be conducted over the first year of the new Government to ensure they are in accordance with the UNCRC.An annual parliamentary reporting through a child rights scorecard will ensure transparent monitoring of progress, especially for the most vulnerable children.The Manifesto comes at a critical time, aligning the country's need for an essential focus on human capital development with the powerful call made by youth during the students’ movement in July 2024, for transparency, fairness, and accountability in national policies and governance mechanisms.UNICEF, along with its partners, thanks all political parties and key stakeholders for formally reflecting the commitments of the Child Rights Manifesto in their party policies and priorities, in their calls for action, and in standing accountable for driving children’s rights, creating a more equitable and fair Bangladesh, in the months and years after the dust of the upcoming election has settled.Notes to Editor:You can download photos from here.Media contactsMiguel Mateos MuñozUNICEF BangladeshTel: +8801713043478Email: mmateosmunoz@unicef.orgFaria SelimUNICEF BangladeshTel: +8801817586096Email: fselim@unicef.org

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