Zakat Foundation of America in
Bangladesh
Response to Humanitarian Crisis
Bangladesh, located in South Asia along the Bay of Bengal, is one of the world’s most densely populated countries, facing frequent floods, cyclones, and rising waters. These climate-related challenges have led to widespread food insecurity, displacement, waterborne diseases, and poverty, with 41.7 million people living in extreme poverty as of 2022, according to the UNDP. The 1 million stateless Rohingya refugees, living in crowded shelters, are among the most vulnerable, with 200,000 at high risk of flooding and landslides, and 21,000 families already devastated by the floods.
Zakat Foundation of America is dedicated to providing urgent relief and long-term support, focusing on emergency aid, healthcare, water projects, and community rebuilding for those most affected.
Support Emergency Efforts in Bangladesh
Since May 2024, we have been providing urgent relief to communities across southwest, southeastern, and northeastern Bangladesh, impacted by Cyclone Remal and devastating monsoon floods that have destroyed agricultural districts and left millions in need. As floodwaters receded, waterborne diseases surged, and over 500,000 displaced people, including vulnerable women, children, and the elderly, face increased risks of malnutrition, disease, and unsafe shelter conditions. The August floods caused an estimated $1.19 billion in damage, worsening Bangladesh's climate and political crises, with 23.6 million already facing food insecurity and nearly 1 in 4 living below the poverty line, many on less than $2.15 a day.
Key Features
- 18 million people affected—nearly 1 in 10 Bangladeshis.
- 6 million displaced, including 2 million children.
- 5.5 million people pushed into urgent food insecurity.
- 4.5 million acres of cropland inundated, damaging key rice crops.
- 1.7 million aquaculture rice-farming families affected.
- 391 health facilities (over a third) damaged, disrupting access to healthcare.
- Widespread loss of infrastructure, leaving millions without food, clean water, sanitation, and medical care.
From 2013-2023
Our Impact in Bangladesh
Stories of Change
A Single Mother Fights for Survival
Amina Begum, a 38-year-old single mother of two young children, lived in Bangladesh’s low-lying Dagonbhuyan, Feni area recently struck by severe flooding. Torrential rains and fast-rising waters drove her, young ones in hand, to abandon her home for the teeming, temporary shelter of Kamal Ataturk College. She lost everything.
Now she and her little ones face daily food insecurity, scant hygiene resources, and growing exposure to waterborne illnesses.
From Business Owner to Blindness
Muhammad Yousuf lives In Old Town Dhaka’s Boubazar slum. At 43, he was a resilient grocer; then, the Covid pandemic devastated Bangladesh’s crammed poor areas and shuttered his business. It shut down more than his shop. It struck both his retinas, severely diminishing his vision.
Plunged into gray and shadows, a once hardy, self-supporting businessman lost his “two beloved ones,” as the Prophet, on him be peace, called the eyes. Now he finds himself unable to work at all. So, he casts an empty gaze for help unseen. Will he see you?
A Journey to Empowerment
Jhumur Begum, 35, lives in Dhaka’s Jhawchar ghetto, with her loving husband, a tireless but poor rickshaw puller. Determined to help him, Jhumur searched for a skill she could learn and earn from.
Her journey of love led her to something that seemed miraculous: a group visiting from the U.S. searching to train people just like her. She had happened upon our aid specialists. They enrolled her free into our six-month, intensive sewing & seamstress vocational training program. Then they gave her – rather, you did – an incredible gift: her own sewing machine … all, and only, for the sake of God.
News from Bangladesh
11/26/24
Our Work for Bangladesh Flood Victims in 2024
Devastating floods ravaged southeastern Bangladesh. Families urgently need your support to survive this catastrophic disaster.
Stories
8/10/17
Spreading Health Education in Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, Khadija was just one of millions working for scraps to make ends meet. Eventually, Khadija was informed about Zakat Foundation of America’s healthcare programs in Bangladesh.
Stories
3/25/24
Food items distributed among low-income families in Sirajganj
Zakat Foundation of America, Bangladesh distributed the food items on the premises of Belkuchi Degree College on Saturday afternoon.
Press Clippings
Captured Moments: A Glimpse of Our Work
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Bangladesh flood relief efforts reach vulnerable families with essentials.
Bangladesh flood relief efforts reach vulnerable families with essentials.
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A Bangladeshi women smile from relief as she receives flood relief essentials from our field teams.
Education support opens doors to endless opportunities for children in Bangladesh.
Computer training centers in Bangladesh ensure the right skill set for financial independence.
Education and preventive care are staples for better health. Our courtyard meetings help vulnerable communities practice healthy habits.
Food security through Udhiyah distribution ensures nourishing food for needy families.
Health camps in Bangladesh go to rural and hard to reach communities to ensure medical care is accessible to vulnerable families.
Mother and child health clinics provide medical assistance to women in need of support.
Our field reps go door to door to provide medical assistance to needy families.
Our health care program protects children from diseases through vaccinations.
Our rice distribution project in Bangladesh makes sure this food staple is available for families in need.
Our training centers in Bangladesh help build self sufficiency and financial independence for those in poverty.
Our water desalination project ensures fresh clean water for communities facing water scarcity.
Water pumps help villagers in Bangladesh secure clean water with ease.
Your Udhiyah shares ensure families are nourished.
Help Bangladesh Now
Education
Providing access to education & creating powerful antidotes to unrest, distrust, & war.
Give to EducationEmergency Relief
Help victims of disaster & violent conflict recover and heal.
Give to Emergency ReliefFood Security
Delivering urgent food in Ramadan & year round to relieve starvation. Give $50 for Food Security.
Give to Food SecurityHealth & Wellbeing
Leading critical projects to heal bodies, minds, & souls.
Give to Health & WellbeingLivelihoods
Lifting people out of poverty & ensuring their self-reliance. Give $350 for Livelihood.
Give to LivelihoodsSadaqah Jariyah
When you give Sadaqah Jariyah, you are providing a lifeline that keeps on giving.
Give to Sadaqah Jariyah
