Bhandaria Area Program

The Bhandaria (pronounced Ban-da-riya) community is located just over 300 km south of Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh. The community sits in a low-lying coastal area on the banks of the Kocha River. It is surrounded by many tributaries and canals.

Most people support their families through agriculture, but the area is vulnerable to high tidal surges, water salinity, and cyclones. This causes frequent food shortages, to the extent that, during the rainy season, most families survive on one meal a day. Flooding occurs annually, contaminating water supplies, destroying crops, infrastructure, and personal property, and costing people their lives.

Education
Even though 85% of children aged 10 and younger are enrolled in school, education is not a top priority in Bhandaria. 40% of students eventually drop out of primary school. Teachers do not have adequate training and the schools lack basic resources, such as benches and books.
Poverty directly impacts enrolment. 25% of children are engaged in child labour to contribute towards their family's income. Half of all children do not continue beyond primary school because their family cannot afford the costs.

Health
Childhood illness and mortality are high in Bhandaria, both of which are often the result of malnutrition. Some children face health struggles before they are even born. Pregnant women lack access to pre- and postnatal services, and deliveries are commonly performed in unhygienic conditions.

Livelihoods
Malnutrition affects large numbers of children and women. Food is scarce during the rainy season, with only 5% of families having sufficient food year round. Most families diets are inadequate, lacking fruit, vegetables, and protein. Agriculture is the primary source of income in the community, but due to outdated farming practices and natural disasters, many families experience low production. Farm yields are impacted by the soil's high salt levels and lack of nutrients, waterlogging, and environmental degradation. Low crop yields and high food prices due to shortages continue to deepen the cycle of poverty for many families.

Water, Sanitation & Hygiene
For many families, water is a source of disease and illness. Most get their drinking water from rivers, ponds, and other contaminated surface sources. 60% of families lack access to sanitary latrines, which complicates hygiene practices. Wells also pose a health risk to families, as more than one third are contaminated by arsenic.