Bangladesh

Where can I access safety and shelter?

 

The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs provides a National Helpline Centre for Violence Against Women and Children. The helpline number is 109. It is a toll free number and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is a confidential services that is accessible from all parts of Bangladesh and all beneficiaries can make call from both fixed phone and mobile phone. The Helpline Centre offers legal advice, police assistance, telephone counseling, information, and referrals to other services. They can provide advice and refer you to a shelter if you seek one.

 

National Helpline Centre for Violence against Women and Children

Department of Women Affairs (7th Floor)

37/3 Eskaton Garden Road, Dhaka-1000

Tel:109 (24 hours)

E-mail: 109helpline@gmail.com  

Website: www.nhc.gov.bd

 

You can seek shelter at any of the shelters below. These are some of the shelters we were able to confirm are still open during COVID-19. They do not represent an exhaustive list of all the open shelters, but may be a good place to reach out to as they could refer you to other shelters nearby in case they are full.

 

Sreepur Village

 

The Sreepur Village runs and funds a women and children's village in rural Bangladesh. They provide a large range of services including safety, shelter, food, adult education, comprehensive healthcare, livelihood and life skill training, child safeguarding, and social re-integration. The Sreepur Village continues to operate. Due to the pandemic, their Dhaka services are not currently operating at full capacity, with one of their night shelters for girls in Dhaka temporarily closed for the time being. However, the Dhaka office remains available to contact. Their website is: https://www.sreepurvillage.org/pages/who-we-are.

 

Where?

            Sreepur:

Shishu Polli Plus, 
Tengra, 
Sreepur Gazipur, 
Bangladesh 
Telephone: +88-01709-640-800
Email: communication@sppbd.org

 

 

Dhaka:

House #20 (3rd Floor)
Road # 17,
Nikanjia-2 Dhaka, 
Bangladesh 
Telephone: +88-02-4895-3308

Email: communication@sppbd.org

 

 

Aparajeyo Bangladesh - Hotline for children in danger and abused children

 

Tel: 1098

You can call the 1098 hotline if you witness any form of child abuse or a child who is in danger (or if you are a child in danger).

 

Aparajeyo Bangladesh - Protection of children affected by internal migration and COVID-19 in Dhaka and Barisal Cities

 

Child friendly Transit / Temporary Shelter Center for boys & girls to protect children who are living on the street against deprivation of their basic services, violence, exploitation and abuse and neglect.

 

Where?

            2 Kazi Zia Uddin Road

Babu Bazar

Ward-32, Kotwali, Dhaka

 

SOS Children's Villages Bangladesh

 

SOS Children's Villages in Bangladesh provide alternative housing to underprivileged children. A family environment is created where the children live with a mother figure. They receive shelter, physical and emotional care, food, exercise and education. SOS Children's Villages continue to provide services during the COVID19 pandemic, but children are not allowed to leave the premises and visitor access is controlled.

 

Where?

Dhaka

                        SOS Children's Village Dhaka

1 Shamoli, Mirpur Road, Dhaka-1207

Tel: +8802-8118793, 9128581

Email: soscvdac@sos-bangladesh.org

           

            Rajshahi

SOS Children’s Village Rajshahi

Terokhadia, Rajshahi

Telephone: +88 0721 760079

Email: soscvraj@sos-bangladesh.org

 

            Khulna

                        SOS Children’s Village Khulna

Gollamri, Khulna

Telephone: +88 041721132

Email: soscvkln@sos-bangladesh.org

 

            Chattogram

            SOS Children’s Village Chattogram

Block – A, Halishahar Housing Estate, Chattogram – 4216,

Bangladesh

Telephone: +88 031 716205

Email: soscvctg@sos-bangladesh.org

            Bogura

                        [insert correct address]

                        Tel: +880 51 60167

Email: soscvbog@sos-banladesh.org

 

            Sylhet

                        SOS Children’s Village Sylhet

Dayamir, Osmaninagar, Sylhet

Mob: +8801711372527

Email: soscvsyl@sos-bangladesh.org

 

JAAGO Foundation Safe Haven Project for Rohingya Children

 

The aim of this project is to provide a secure and child-friendly zone for Rohingya refugee children to get relief from their sufferings by doing educational and recreational activities. The organisation provides social and emotional development activities, as well as psychological counseling.

 

Where?

            Unchiprang, Putibonia, Whaikkong,

Cox’s Bazar

Tel: +88 017 6666 6654; +88 02 8836070

 

Where can I access health care?

 

The government has consolidated COVID19 related online resources and information on the following website: https://corona.gov.bd/ Contact details of various telemedicine services and call centers can befound on this site:

            List of contact details of telemedicine services: https://corona.gov.bd/telemedicine (Bengali)

            List of contact details of various call centers/hotlines: https://corona.gov.bd/call_center (Bengali)

National government hotline (for any concerns, health-related or otherwise):

            Tel: 333 (from mobile)

            Tel: 09666789333 (from abroad/landline)

Department of Health call centre (for health-related concerns):

            Tel: 16263

Callers can speak to a doctor or healthcare consultant. There is a small charge for the healthcare services provided, but it is meant to be affordable for all citizens.

 

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is responsible for overseeing the healthcare system in Bangladesh. They are the Ministry primarily in charge of coordinating the state's coronavirus response and have published guidelines and advice regarding COVID19, which can be accessed through their websites coronavirus resource page. They can be contacted at:

            Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Mohakhali, Dhaka

Tel: 8802 8816459

Fax: 8802 8813875

Email: info@dghs.gov.bd

Web: www.dghs.gov.bd

Coronavirus resource page:

https://dghs.gov.bd/index.php/en/component/content/article?id=5393 (English/Bengali)

List of contact details of the Directorate Generals and various institutes/offices:

http://attendance.dghs.gov.bd/dghseams/dghs_website/facilityHeadContactInformation.php

 

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has a publicly accessible registry of all registered healthcare facilities in Bangladesh. The registry can be accessed at: http://facilityregistry.dghs.gov.bd/index.php (English)

 

The Directorate General of Health Services has provided 482 hospitals with mobile phones, enabling these hospitals to offer 24-hour telephone consultations. The nearest hospital offering this service and the relevant contact details can be searched and found at: http://app.dghs.gov.bd/inst_info/mobile_search.php (English).

To see mobile numbers of all upazila (sub-unit/sub-district) hospitals just select district name and then click on Show Mobile No.

 

The Ministry, together with the ICT Division of the government, has also developed a COVID19 mobile tracking app called Corona Tracer BD, which can be downloaded through their website.

 

For people in refugee camps in Cox's Bazar, the following NGOs provide free healthcare for coronavirus and other health-related concerns:

 

HAEFA

 

Where?

HAEFA Office Bangladesh

House 31 Road 16

Sector 13, Uttara, Dhaka 1230

Email: healthonwheels.usa@gmail.com

 

Healthcare facilities: Inside the extended Better Shelter units in the Kutupalong and Balukhali refugee camps

 

Aparajeyo Bangladesh - Protection of children affected by internal migration and COVID-19 in Dhaka and Barisal Cities

 

Tent-based emergency service centres to provide primary health care services and referrals, as well as advice regarding essential hygiene practices to reduce transmission of and exposure to COVID-19.

 

Where?

Address 1: Tent-based Emergency Service Hub, Gabtoli Bus Terminal: Ward-9, Darussalam, Dhaka 

 

Address 2: Tent-based Emergency Service Hub, Sadarghat, Lolitokola Academy: Ward-37, Kotwali, Dhaka 

 

Address 3: Tent-based Emergency Service Hub, Sayadabad Bus Terminal: Ward-48, Jatrabari, Dhaka 

 

 

What are my rights?

 

Can I still access courts if I need to?

 

The Bangladesh Courts were initially shut between 26 March and early May. They have since been operating an e-justice system since May 2020 to adapt to the COVID19 pandemic, with filings and pleas being conducted via video conferencing and other digital avenues. The lower courts returned to normal proceedings in the first week of August 2020, and the High Courts have resumed in-person hearings from 12 August 2020.

 

What are my rights in the criminal justice system and how have they changed?

 

Your rights in the criminal justice system remain unchanged.

 

What, if any, identification documents do I need to access services?

 

Legal organisations such as BLAST (see below) require the child's birth certificate or the card evidencing the injections the child received after birth. If a court requires identification documents to confirm a child's age, they will request to see the child's birth certificate or "TIKA card".

 

Legal aid can be accessed through the following legal service organisations:

 

1. BLAST (Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust)

      Where?

Helpline: 01715-220220 (9am - 5pm)

Head office:

Address: BLAST,

YMCA Development Center,

1/1 Pioneer Road, Kakrail,

Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh

Tel: 0088-02-8391970-2, 8317185
Fax: 0088-02-8391973

Other project and district offices can be found at: https://www.blast.org.bd/contact

Email: mail@blast.org.bd

Web: www.blast.org.bd

 

They prioritise providing support to women, men, and children living in poverty or facing disadvantages or discrimination. They offer a helpline service through which free legal information and support can be accessed.

 

1. BRAC

   Where?

   Bangladesh Office (Headquarters):

   Address: BRAC Centre

75 Mohakhali, Dhaka-1212
Bangladesh

Tel: 880-2-9881265
Email: info@brac.net

 

They run over 400 legal aid clinics throughout Bangladesh.

 

1. Bangladesh National Helpline for violence against women and children

   Where?

               National Helpline Centre for Violence against Women and Children

   Department of Women Affairs (7th Floor)

   37/3 Eskaton Garden Road, Dhaka-1000

   Tel: 109 (24 hours)

   E-mail: 109helpline@gmail.com

   Website: www.nhc.gov.bd

           

This is a toll free number which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is accessible from all parts of Bangladesh and all beneficiaries can make call from both fixed phone and mobile phone.  It’s a confidential service that offers legal advice and police assistance.

 

The forms and documents necessary to apply for government legal aid can be found on the judiciary website at: http://www.judiciary.org.bd/en/forms/legal-aid

 

 

Can I continue my education?

Bangladesh imposes 12 years of compulsory education (8 years of primary school and 4 years of secondary school). There are state-funded schools that children may attend for free.

 

In light of the COVID19 pandemic, all educational institutions have been closed since 17 March 2020. Schools are scheduled to reopen on 31 August 2020, however, the Prime Minister has stated in April that if the situation does not improve, schools will be closed until September. As the shutdown has already been extended several times, depending on the situation, there may be more extensions.

 

The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has decided not to hold the Junior School Certificate (JSC), Junior Dakhil Certificate (JDC), Primary Education Certificate (PEC), and Ebtedayee terminal examinations this year. If the Ministry's proposal is approved by the Prime Minister, this decision will be implemented and these examinations will be cancelled. The Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC) examinations, however, will still be held (the date of these exams depending on when schools are reopened).

 

In the meantime, the Ministry of Education, in cooperation with various affiliate organisations, has provided online educational resources for various subjects for children and adults. Some of these affiliate organisations are: Sesame Street, Room to Read, the British Council, Teach for Bangladesh, and Google. The resources can be accessed by clicking on the logos of the organisations at the following website: https://www.eduhub.gov.bd/.

 

JAAGO Foundation Schools

 

JAAGO Foundation has 11 schools across Bangladesh: 8 are digital schools and 3 are traditional schools. In the digital schools, remote-access enabled interactive classrooms allow children in remote, rural areas to be educated by Dhaka-based teachers. As an affiliate organisation of the Ministry of Education, some of their digital resources can be found at https://www.eduhub.gov.bd/all-partners/JAAGOFoundationc71ce64 . The foundation's physical schools are not currently open but children are being educated telephonically and online. The contact details of JAAGO Foundation's schools are set out below:

JAAGO Foundation Dinajpur School	Address: Shundorban, Post:Ramduberhat,P.S:Dinajpur Shador, Dinajpur Plus code: QP4H+V2 Sundarban, Bangladesh Tel: 01755-692232 +8801766666654 Website: https://jaago.com.bd/our-schools/
JAAGO Foundation Rangpur School	Address: Ramkrisnopur, Post: Mirbagh, P:S: Kaunia, District: Rangpur, Bangladesh Plus code: Q96F+F6 Kursha, Bangladesh Tel: 01755-692232 Website: https://jaago.com.bd/our-schools/
JAAGO Foundation Gaibhanda School	Address: Holding #244, Road:1/5, Purba Para, (Purba kamornoy), Gaibandha , Bangladesh Plus code: 8GHR+HJ Gaibandha, Bangladesh Tel: 01755-692219 Website: https://jaago.com.bd/our-schools/
JAAGO Foundation Rajshahi School	Address: Holding no # 51, New Koloni Sopura, Boalia ,Rajshahi , Bangladesh Plus code: 9JJ7+C2 Rajshahi, Bangladesh Tel: 01755-692217 Website: https://jaago.com.bd/our-schools/
JAAGO Foundation Habiganj School	Address: Surma Tea Estate(Sador),Upozilla: Madhabpur, District: Habiganj, Bangladesh Plus code: 49MW+JR Surma Bagan, Bangladesh Tel: 01755-692228 Website: https://jaago.com.bd/our-schools/
JAAGO Foundation Banani School	Address: Holding# 289 Block-B Korail-1(South Unite), Banani, Dhaka 1219, Bangladesh Plus code: QCP7+M2 Dhaka, Bangladesh Tel: 01755-692211 Website: https://jaago.com.bd/our-schools/
JAAGO Foundation Rayer Bazar School	Address: 86/1B Sadek Khan Rd, Mohammadpur, Rayerbazer, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh Plus code: P9W6+QW Dhaka, Bangladesh Tel: 01755-692205 Website: https://jaago.com.bd/our-schools/
JAAGO Foundation Madaripur School	Address: Ukilpara Rd, Madaripur 7900, Bangladesh Plus code: 5696+WX Madaripur, Bangladesh Tel: 01755-692224 Website: https://jaago.com.bd/our-schools/
JAAGO Foundation Lakshmipur School	Address: Char Alaxander - Ramgati Rd, Ramgati, Bangladesh Plus code: H2M2+Q2 Ramgati, Bangladesh Tel: +8801830863655 Website: https://jaago.com.bd/our-schools/
JAAGO Foundation Chittagong School	Address: Lane:10, (Manik Commissioner”s Bagan bari), Moti Jhorna, Lalkhan bazer, Khulshi, Chittagong Plus code: 8RW7+X8 Chattogram, Bangladesh Tel: 01670-381532 Website: https://jaago.com.bd/our-schools/
JAAGO Foundation Bandarban School	Address: Datvangha para, Kanapara Road, Meghla, Bangladesh Plus code: 55QV+8V Bandarban, Bangladesh Tel: 01755-692224 Website: https://jaago.com.bd/our-schools/
JAAGO Foundation Teknaf School	Address: Khunkar Para, Beach Road,Post: Teknaf, Cox's bazar-4760, Bangladesh Plus code: V73H+2F Teknaf, Bangladesh Tel: 01844-185442, 01634-721725 Website: https://jaago.com.bd/our-schools/

  

Where can I seek emergency services, food and other resources?

 

Are there any benefits or public services I have access to during this time of crisis?

 

1. Bangladesh Government Helpline 333

   1. Tel: 333

   2. Website: http://333.gov.bd/333website/

 

The Bangladesh government launched the 333 helpline to provide information on its services and take complaints on social problems. It is a single voice access point for all Government Information & Grievance Redressal.

 

The helpline can be accessed from any mobile phone or land line. The helpline can be used to:

 

•           Get information on the procedure of getting Government Services

•           Get contact information of Public Representatives and Government Staff

•           Complain and get remedy from various Social Problems like early marriage, dowry, drugs dealing, gambling, environment pollution, food adulteration, eve teasing etc

•           Get information about Tourist Spots & different Districts

•           Get important Islamic Masala-masail

•           Get e-Tin information & solution of all e-Tin related problem

•           Get weather information

•           Check authenticity of medicines

 

It can also be used to get medical help, as well as help such as relief packages for underprivileged people from the upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) of the local upazila (sub-district).