The Zakat Foundation of America

Bangladesh

Bangladesh, with a population of 135 million, is one of the poorest countries in the world. The country’s erratic and extreme climate, and the fact that a large proportion of the country is low-lying and vulnerable to flooding, plays a major role in the persistence of poverty within the country.  

The extreme annual flooding can destroy crops, homes and livelihoods. In such situations, agricultural skill-training is needed to ensure sustainable food production for rural communities during the rainy season.

In Bangladesh’s urban settings, educating the poor children and providing their parents with vocational training is crucial.  Priority has also been given to meeting the  public health needs for the estimated 40 % to 60% of Bangladesh residents, for whom health care services are either inaccessible or of poor quality.

Zakat Foundation’s office in Bangladesh works to address these and other issues through free health clinics, an orphan-care center, seasonal feeding programs, relief assistance during times of emergency and other exceptional initiatives.

Cyclone Aila

The destruction and human hardship caused by natural disasters demand the world’s attention. In May 2009 the heavy winds, rain and storm waters of Cyclone Aila struck the south-west coast of Bangladesh causing a level of destruction that affected the lives of nearly 2.3 million people. Zakat Foundation’s Bangladesh Office responded to the immediate distress felt by those who lost… continue reading »