Disadvantaged Communities in Rural Bangladesh

Introduction
Disadvantaged rural communities in Bangladesh are struggling due to a lack of
resources and basic services, making them vulnerable to poverty and natural
disasters. The focus is on specific communities such as those living in
char-land/riverine areas, haor lands, coastal areas, and ethnic
minorities.Selected Disadvantaged Communities:

1. People Living in Char-land/ Riverine:

2. People Living in Haor Land
3. Communities Living in Coastal Area
4. 4.Ethnic Minorities:

In these remote areas, there are no doctors, health centers, or necessary

medicine stores, so people suffering from critical illnesses are unable to access
urgent medical treatment

People Living in Char-land/ Riverine:

Char-land/riverine areas are located in the floodplains of major rivers in
Bangladesh, and are home to some of the poorest and most vulnerable
communities in the country. These communities faces
● frequent flooding
● river erosion
● a lack of access to basic services
● According to a study by the World Bank, over 12 million people live in char-
land areas in Bangladesh, and around 70% of them are living below the
poverty line.

Vulnerability of People Living in Char-Land

Lack of Medical Services : People living in the riverine areas are facing
extreme difficulties due to a lack of medical services.
 ● Due to communication issues, patients are facing life-threatening
complications before reaching the hospital.
● In addition, impoverished patients are dying without treatment due to
a lack of financial resources
● In these remote areas, there are no doctors, health centers, or
necessary medicine stores, so people suffering from critical illnesses
are unable to access urgent medical treatment

Malnutrition and Child and Maternal Mortality : Furthermore, the health

situation of mothers and children is even more alarming. Malnutrition and the rate
of child and maternal mortality are increasing due to lack of awareness, and the
lack of availability of family planning methods in rural areas. In recent times, the
rate of child birth in the villages of the district has been increasing.

Lack of Availability of Family Planning Methods

The lack of availability of family planning methods refers to the inadequate
access to contraceptives and other methods of controlling family size and birth
spacing. Some points describing this issue are:

Limited access to Contraceptives: In many parts of the world, contraceptives

are not readily available or affordable. This limits individuals' ability to plan their
families and can lead to unintended pregnancies.

Lack of Education and Awareness : In some communities, there is a lack of

education and awareness about family planning methods. This can result in
misconceptions and fears about contraception, leading to a reluctance to use
these methods.

Cultural and Religious Beliefs: Some cultural and religious beliefs may
discourage the use of family planning methods, further limiting individuals'
options, specially in char land area where literacy rate is low.

Prevalence of Child Marriage : due to the prevalence of child marriage,

violence against women and sexual harassment is also increasing at the family
level in the district. As a result of the increasing prevalence of child marriage,
malnutrition, anemia, iodine deficiency, and various diseases are also increasing
in the rural areas of Gaibandha district, affecting mothers and children who are
unable to receive proper medical treatment due to the lack of resources among
local communities.

Climate and Environmental Vulnerability in Char-Land : Char land refers to

the riverine islands formed in the floodplains of major rivers such as the
Brahmaputra, Ganges, and Meghna in Bangladesh. These areas are vulnerable
to a range of climate and environmental risks, including:

● River Erosion: Char lands are particularly vulnerable to river

erosion due to their location in the floodplains of major rivers. During
the monsoon season, heavy rainfall and rising water levels can
cause erosion of the riverbanks, which can lead to displacement and
loss of homes, farmlands, and livelihoods.

● Floods: Char lands are also at risk of frequent and severe floods. As
the river water levels rise, the islands become inundated, resulting in
the loss of crops, homes, and other infrastructure. The frequent
flooding also damages the soil, reducing its fertility and making it
difficult for farmers to cultivate crops.

● Cyclones and Storm Surges: Char lands are highly vulnerable to

tropical cyclones and storm surges due to their low elevation and
proximity to the Bay of Bengal. These events can cause significant
damage to infrastructure, homes, and livelihoods on the islands.

People Living in Haor Land

Haor lands are large wetland areas located in the northeastern part of
Bangladesh. These communities are often cut off from the rest of the country
during the monsoon season, which makes it difficult for them to access basic
services such as healthcare and education.
● According to a study by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, the poverty
rate in the haor areas is over 60%.
 ● In 2017, over 2.2 million people in the haor areas were affected by flash
floods, which destroyed crops and homes.

Vulnerability of People Living in Haor Land

During the winter months, Haor, a region surrounded by mesmerizing natural

beauty, can appear quite desolate with its dry, dusty walkways and endless crop
fields stretching out for miles. However, during the monsoon season, the narrow
silvery rivulets that meander through the area become swollen with water,
causing them to flood the surrounding land and transforming the landscape into a
vast, aquatic wonderland that rivals the ocean.

An Story of Current Water Crisis In Moulvibazar's Haor Region

In Moulvibazar's Haor region, the current water crisis is causing great distress for
farmers as their rice crops suffer due to a lack of water. Rivers, canals, and
ponds have all dried up, leaving the farmers with no way to irrigate their fields.
The locals are struggling to make ends meet in the face of this crisis. The Haor
Conservation Committee staged a human chain demanding immediate action to
address the water crisis in the Haor region, including Moulvibazar.
Dhakatimes24.com

Agriculture: The Main Driving Force of The Haor Region's Economy.

The people of Haor region are primarily farmers, and agriculture is the main
driving force of the region's economy. The food security in Bangladesh relies
heavily on the agricultural sector, and these farmers are the ones who contribute
the most to it

Problematic Living Conditions of the Inhabitants of the Haor region:

(sudden floods, monsoon floods, shortage of irrigation water)

● Significant Risk to Life and Livelihoods : Vast population of the Haor

region is plagued by various problems and crises that seem to be an
integral part of their lives. Almost every year, sudden floods ravage the
 environment and pose a significant risk to life and livelihood. The
agricultural land in the Haor region remains submerged in water for about
six months a year due to the monsoon floods. Therefore, the farmers of the
region heavily rely on the Boro paddy crop, which is the only crop grown
during the remaining six months of the year. However, sudden floods can
destroy Boro crops, reducing the livelihoods of farmers.

● Sudden Floods: Sudden floods also affect the water retention capacity of
the primary rivers and canals, leading to a prolonged period of water
discharge, which delays crop cultivation. The decrease in water flow in the
rivers and canals also leads to a permanent shortage of irrigation water,
exacerbating the water crisis.

● Lightning Strikes: Killing of Countless Farmers : Every year, lightning

strikes kill countless farmers in the marshes. As there is no compensation
for the families of the deceased farmers, these families lead miserable
lives. It’s a common story in the haor region.

● Increasing Cost of Harvesting Rice : Workers from other districts come

to the marshes to harvest rice. Suddenly, when there is an impending
flood, the cost of harvesting rice increases due to the shortage of labor. As
there is no government market system, farmers are forced to sell their rice
under the control of the agriculture market syndicate.

Inadequate Communication System : In the vast marshy areas, travel during

the dry season is difficult as there are no roads, and it is very expensive to
transport harvested crops to homes. Local agricultural workers suffer because of
this. Due to inadequate communication infrastructure in the Haor region, the
various problems of the rural community are exacerbated.
● Especially during the rainy season, all types of communication routes are
cut off. During the rainy season, mainly dinghies or other watercraft are
used for transportation
● Even if there are dry weather communication methods, they are
insufficient.

Education System
 Due to the unfavorable environment of the Haor region, the education rate is
comparatively low. However, the current education rate is gradually increasing.
The people of Haor are now conscious about education and are making efforts to
educate their children in higher education.

● The literacy rate in Sunamganj district is 49.75% (Data source:

Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, 2014).
● There are around 45 primary schools and several educational institutions
in the Tanguar Haor and Shonir Haor areas, which are inadequate.

Lack of Diversity of Professions

In the Haor area, people mainly depend on agriculture and fishing for their
livelihoods. Different types of problems and risks have to be faced due to the
diversity of professions. Therefore, in order to solve professional problems,
various types of training should be provided,

Lack of Clean Water : Although the water of the river may be abundant, the
lack of clean water is very noticeable. The absence of clean water in the area of
the river leads to an inadequate health system and malnutrition, as well as
various waterborne diseases among the population. Access to clean water
through the installation of tube wells or other means is extremely important to
ensure verification of purity.

Communities Living in Coastal Area

Communities living in coastal areas are often affected by cyclones, tidal surges,
and saltwater intrusion.
● According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, the poverty rate in the
coastal areas is over 40%.
● In 2020, Cyclone Amphan affected over 10 million people in the coastal
areas, causing widespread damage to homes and infrastructure.

Vulnerability of People Living in Coastal Area: A Tale of Uncertain Life

Scarcity of Safe Drinking Water due to salinity

The people living in the sub-urban areas of the country are facing a threat to their
way of life due to the adverse effects of the salinity crisis and the climate change
caused by it. The scarcity of safe drinking water due to salinity has been seen as
a major issue. Without addressing this problem, there are various impacts on
biodiversity, including the disappearance of vegetation and crops, and reduced
agricultural production.

Skin Diseases and various Health Problems : Due to Saline Water : The
biggest obstacle for the progress of children in the sub-district is salinity. If
salinity and other issues persist in the sub-district, it will be difficult to sustain the
population there. The use of saline water for drinking and bathing is causing skin
diseases and various health problems among children.
● Children from poor families in the coastal areas are suffering from common
problems such as scabies, ringworm, and lice.
● Due to drinking saline water, children from impoverished families are
suffering from diarrhea, stomach problems, and other illnesses.

In the long run, unconsciousness due to suffering from these problems can lead
to the death of children. Considering all aspects, the health of children in the
coastal areas is at risk.

Climate change and coastal regions

Climate change is affecting not only human settlements but also the lives of the
inhabitants of the coastal regions.

People are losing Their Homes : Due to the effects of climate change, people
are losing their homes and being forced to move from one place to another. In
the education sector, students are facing obstacles due to climate change. The
life and livelihood of the people of the coastal region of Satkhira, the southern-
western part of the country, are under threat due to the adverse effects of climate
change.

Abandoning Their Ancestral Homes: Over the past few decades, due to the
sea-level rise, the low-lying areas are being submerged. In addition, every year,
this region is affected by cyclones or tidal surges, along with saltwater intrusion,
which has put human assets and the economy of the area at risk. Thousands of
coastal inhabitants are being forced to abandon their ancestral homes and move
elsewhere to survive, as they are unable to fight against the rivers and nature.

Malnutrition among children in the coastal region:The rate of malnutrition

among children in the 14 districts of the coastal region is already a concern. The
people of the coastal region are struggling with the adverse effects of climate
change. When the lives and livelihoods of the people there are in crisis, it
naturally affects the children as well. Due to not having enough nutritious food,
the children in the coastal region are suffering from various long-term problems.

Reduced Crop Production: Nearly 25% of Bangladesh is coastal areas. More

than 10 lakh hectares of land in 18 districts of this area are affected by varying
degrees of salinity. This salinity is the main barrier to increasing crop production
in this area.

Tropical Cyclones in Coastal Area :

Bangladesh is vulnerable to tropical cyclones due to its location on the Bay of
Bengal. Some of the deadliest tropical cyclones that have affected Bangladesh in
recent years include:

● Cyclone Sidr (2007): One of the strongest cyclones ever recorded in the
Bay of Bengal, Cyclone Sidr made landfall in southwestern Bangladesh on
November 15, 2007. It caused widespread damage and killed around
3,500 people.

● Cyclone Nargis (2008): Although Cyclone Nargis made landfall in

Myanmar, it also affected Bangladesh, causing severe flooding and
damage to infrastructure and crops. The cyclone killed over 138,000
people in Myanmar and over 1,000 in Bangladesh.

● Cyclone Aila (2009): Cyclone Aila hit southwestern Bangladesh on May

25, 2009, causing extensive damage and killing over 330 people. The
storm surge from the cyclone caused flooding that affected around 3
million people.
"The main reason for the displacement of coastal residents is the
uncertainty of their settlement. If there is a strong embankment, at least
people will have a sense of security. With that certainty, the tendency to
move elsewhere will decrease."

Ainun Nishat, Emeritus Professor, BRAC University.

Ethnic Minorities
Ethnic minorities in Bangladesh face multiple forms of discrimination, which
often limit their access to basic services and economic opportunities, 80% of
them live below the poverty line.

The vulnerability of Ethnic Minorities

Approximately 1.25 percent of Bangladesh's population consists of around

two million people belonging to 27 officially recognized ethnic minority
groups. These groups can be broadly categorized into two categories. The
first group resides in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) in the southeastern
Chattogram Division. The second group resides in the northern divisions
and are often referred to as plainland ethnic groups.

"Indigenous people are decreasing, culture is disappearing."

The indigenous population is decreasing, and their culture is disappearing. Many
believe that the state and Bengali nationalism are also responsible for this
situation.
● In the past 64 years, 10 small ethnic communities have lost two lakh and
164 acres of land.

Culture is Disappearing : The indigenous people are not the only ones
disappearing, their culture is also disappearing because many of their festivals
and productions are linked to agriculture. Sometimes, under the guise of eco-
parks or power generation, their homes have been removed from forests, nature,
and shifting cultivation. They have been obstructed from forests, nature, and
shifting cultivation. As a result, they have lost their autonomy.
Preservation of Their Land : Preserving their land is the primary concern for
the ethnic communities living in the plain areas of Bangladesh.

"We were fooled and cheated out of our own lands. These days we don't
have the proper ownership of our lands. I can't sell my land because my
papers and documents aren't ready."

SANTAL MAN FROM RAJSHAHI.

● They have historically been manipulated out of their land by government

officials and local people, and often do not have proper legal
documentation to claim their rights.
● Many ethnic communities paid land taxes but did not keep records, and
when their lands were put up for auction, they had no way to claim their
rights.
● Their land was taken by the government after Bangladesh's independence
in 1971.

Difficult Living Conditions, (including poor housing, unsafe drinking water

and insecurity)

● Unsafe drinking water: The lack of consistent access to safe drinking

water is a major issue, as contaminated water can lead to a host of
waterborne diseases. It is encouraging to hear that some communities,
such as the Santal, have periodic checks on their water quality, but more
needs to be done to ensure that all communities have access to safe
drinking water.

● Houses made of mud: The fact that many houses are made of mud, tin,
or thatched material is a clear indication that the housing conditions are
not up to par.

● Poverty: Poverty is a significant contributing factor to social problems in

these communities. Lack of income leads to a lack of access to education,
 which perpetuates the cycle of poverty. Additionally, the incentive to marry
off daughters at a young age due to financial difficulties is deeply
concerning.

Social Discrimination: Despite growing acceptance, plainland ethnic groups

face social ostracism and discrimination from mainstream Bengali society in
Bangladesh.

● Bengalis refusing to eat or interact with ethnic people, and providing

different cups or plates at restaurants or picnics.
● Ethnic minorities also face mockery, with Santals being ridiculed for their
dark skin, Garos for their Asian facial features, and Manipuris for their poor
Bangla pronunciation.
● Garo students are insulted by teachers, and many Bengalis view them as
outsiders rather than Bangladeshi citizens.

Poor Government services to Ethnic Minorities :

Ethnic minority communities in Bangladesh face challenges in accessing
government services and benefits due to discrimination and remote locations.
Participants have complained about the poor quality of healthcare services and
lack of medication in community clinics. Discrimination based on ethnicity and
class is also prevalent in the provision of healthcare services.

Ignored and Unrepresented by the Political System :

According to the report, plainland ethnic communities in Bangladesh feel ignored
and unrepresented by the political system.
● Do not provide sufficient support to ethnic communities: participants
reported that politicians, political parties, and local government officials do
not provide sufficient support to ethnic communities, and only visit during
election campaigns, disappearing afterward. After elections, ethnic
communities also struggle to get the attention of local government officials.

Vulnerabilities of the Disadvantaged

Communities in Rural Bangladesh
People Living in People Living in Communities Living .Ethnic Minorities:
Char-land/ Riverine Haor Land in Coastal Area
Lack of Medical Significant Risk to Scarcity of Safe Culture is
Services Life and Livelihoods : Drinking Water due Disappearing
to salinity

Malnutrition and Child Sudden Floods: Skin Diseases and Preservation of Their
and Maternal various Health Land
Mortality Problems : Due to
Saline Water

Lack of Availability of Lightning Strikes: Climate change and

Family Planning Killing of Countless coastal regions Difficult Living
Methods Farmers Conditions,

Limited access to Increasing Cost of People are losing Unsafe drinking water
Contraceptives: Harvesting Rice Their Homes : ● Unsafe
drinking water
● Houses made
of mud:
● Poverty

Lack of Education Inadequate Abandoning Their Social Discrimination:

and Awareness Communication Ancestral Homes:
System

Cultural and Education System Malnutrition among Poor Government

Religious Beliefs: children in the coastal services to Ethnic
region Minorities :

Prevalence of Child Lack of Diversity of

Marriage : Professions Reduced Crop Ignored and
Production: Unrepresented by the
Political System :

Climate and Lack of Clean Water Tropical Cyclones in

Environmental Coastal Area :
Vulnerability in Char- ● Cyclone Sidr
Land : (2007)
● River Erosion: ● Cyclone
● Floods Nargis (2008)
● Cyclones and ● Cyclone Aila
Storm Surges: (2009):
Lack of Diversity of
Professions
In a nutshell it can be said that the ethnic minorities in Bangladesh face
various challenges, including discrimination, marginalization, and limited
access to basic services such as education and healthcare. Additionally,
land grabbing and forced displacement are also significant issues affecting
the ethnic minority communities, particularly in the Chittagong Hill Tracts
region.

※References
1. https://www.iri.org/
2. https://old.dhakatimes24.com/2016/03/09/104992
3. https://sunamganjerkhobor.com/
4. https://www.prothomalo.com/
5. https://bangla.thedailystar.net/