Summary
In Bangladesh, Caritas Bangladesh, founded in 1967 as Caritas East Pakistan, continues to operate and provide extensive services. The organization has been active since independence in 1971, focusing on over a million direct beneficiaries across various sectors such as education, healthcare, disaster relief, and social support for marginalized groups. Archbishop Bejoy D’Cruze of Dhaka highlights Caritas’s commitment to serving all people regardless of race or religion, emphasizing their role during natural disasters like cyclones. The group also supports Rohingya refugees with more than a million individuals in the country due to persecution in neighboring Myanmar. In 2017, Pope Francis visited Dhaka, drawing attention to the plight of these refugees. Currently focused on emergency response for displaced people and humanitarian aid to Rohingya refugees, Caritas Bangladesh is expanding its eco-enterprise development project Doritry (Mother Earth), which aids climate-vulnerable communities. The organization supports smallholder farmers in adapting to climate change and offers vocational skill training to underprivileged young people. Executive director Daud Jibon Das states that Caritas aims for inclusive development by operating with all community members, including marginalized groups. Additionally, the group is exploring support for migrants affected by climate change, seeking to reduce their dependence on foreign aid.
Key Topics
Bangladesh, Caritas Bangladesh, Rohingya refugees
