Where we work

The chars of northwestern Bangladesh – riverine islands created and destroyed by floods and erosion – provide a precarious home for some of the country’s poorest people. Near annual floods deposit fertile silt that supports the agriculture on which the majority of residents depend. However, the floods and associated erosion can also destroy assets, make households homeless and contribute to disease and lack of employment. It is estimated that char households relocate between five and seven times each generation as a result of erosion.

Diversity of markets and services is weak on the chars. Healthcare, education and other services are typically absent or severely underdeveloped. The local economy is principally agricultural, resulting in few income opportunities for residents. Each year, between mid-September and mid-December the demand for agricultural labour declines sharply. During this period, many poor households suffer from monga – a term used to denote the hunger and hardship prevalent during this time.

CLP-1 (2004-2010) provided assistance to 55,000 extreme poor households, and is thought to have benefited at least 900,000 people. The current phase of the CLP (CLP-2; 2010-2016) will target a further 78,000 extreme poor households, and ultimately benefit more than one million people. The map below shows where the CLP is currently working.

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