FOCUS
Promoting Health and Fighting Disease

MDGs ADDRESSED
MDG 1: Eradicate extreme hunger and poverty
MDG 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases
MDG 8: Create a global partnership for development

OVERVIEW
Since its independence in 1971, Bangladesh has made significant progress in reducing poverty and improving the lives of its people. However, 45% of the country’s 135 million people still live below the poverty line. Bangladesh is currently the eighth most populous country in the world, and has the highest population density, with nearly 950 people per square kilometer.

Normally during the rainy season, approximately one-third of Bangladesh is flooded. These floods can cause massive loss of life and wipe out crops. In recent years, because of climate change, Bangladesh has experienced several devastating droughts. Malnutrition and maternal mortality rates are among the highest in the world, and at least one in three mothers in Bangladesh gives birth without ever having seen a health practitioner.

Our PARTNER
Episcopal Relief and Development’s partner in Bangladesh is the Church of Bangladesh (COB), which consists of two dioceses, Dhaka and Kustia, and serves a total of 12,500 congregants. The church’s outreach arm is called Church of Bangladesh Social Development Programme (CBSDP). CBSDP is a non-profit development organization that is working for the betterment of rural and urban poor irrespective of caste or creed.

Our CURRENT PROGRAMS
Episcopal Relief and Development is providing access to health care for people living in 18 communities of Madhupur sub-district in the Tangail District, located in the center of the country. Episcopal Relief and Development is supporting the Thanarbaid Clinic which treats over 15,400 patients per year. The clinic and its branch in Dhorati are the only accessible health services for a population of over 100,000, most of whom survive on less than US$1 a day. Local residents are trained as paramedics, and a local management and advisory committee oversees the clinic.

In 2007, the clinic received a donation of land. The management and advisory committee decided to cultivate part of the property for a vegetable garden and tree plantation, and excavate another portion for a fish culture pond. The produce will serve as a source of food for residents and provide income to help with the long-term sustainability of the clinic.

Promoting Health and Fighting Disease
Episcopal Relief and Development is ensuring that residents in 18 villages can access health care services at low or no cost, through an out-patient care facility, an in-patient care facility and a hospital transfer service.

• Inpatient and outpatient services provide lifesaving care, treatment, and medicine for people who have no other access to health care.
• Medical staff including two female paramedics/midwives, one pharmacy technician, and one lab technician meet critical needs in the area.
• Village health workers bring antenatal care and preventative health services directly to residents in the communities.
• Monthly health education workshops teach residents about reproductive health, nutrition, sanitation, preventing HIV/AIDS, STDs, and malaria.
• HIV/AIDS education and advocacy programs train health workers, youth, clergy and other leaders to teach prevention and provide counseling and referrals.

Our PAST ACHIEVEMENTS
In 2004, Episcopal Relief and Development responded to the devastation caused by unusually heavy monsoons with emergency relief funds that provided tin sheets and tools for roofing, blankets, mosquito nets and children's clothing for families left without shelter. Subsequently, Episcopal Relief and Development partnered with the Church of Bangladesh in post-disaster rebuilding efforts to re-establish essential community infrastructure. Activities included:

• Rebuilding damaged homes and constructing new homes with more appropriate and resistant materials.
• Repairing five damaged school buildings which serve both as educational centers and disaster shelters.
• Distributing seeds, fertilizer and compost to farmers to restore agricultural production.
• Building fish ponds, purchasing fishing nets, and providing small livestock to help residents earn income.
• Establishing a cash-for-work project that helped residents earn income by repairing roads and cleaning up debris.
• Supplying new text books and education materials to students.
• Planting new trees to replace those lost in the floods.
• Training residents in disaster preparedness and how to survive future floods.