- PM Hasina combats poverty through housing, training, and economic empowerment, ensuring sustainable livelihoods
- Details on initiatives beyond housing, focusing on economic empowerment through training, interest-free loans, and rural savings banks.
- Comparative statistics showing improvements in income, nutrition, education enrollment, access to safe drinking water, sanitation coverage, and electricity access from 2017 to 2022
Following Bangladesh’s independence, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of the nation, played a pivotal role in rebuilding homes destroyed during the war, swiftly providing safe accommodation for nearly 20 million displaced individuals. This commitment continued with the launch of a resettlement program on February 20, 1972, in Charporagachha village, Ramgati upazila, greater Noakhali district. Aimed at assisting landless, homeless, and uprooted people, this initiative faced setbacks after the tragic events of August 15, 1975, which halted developmental efforts aimed at rehabilitating homeless and landless families.
Twenty-one years later, Bangabandhu’s daughter, Sheikh Hasina, assumed the country’s leadership after winning the national election on June 23, 1996. Immediately upon taking office as Prime Minister, she witnessed the devastation caused by a severe cyclone in the coastal region on May 19-20, 1997. Moved by the plight of the victims in places like Cox’s Bazar and Saint Martin, she swiftly initiated rehabilitation efforts. Under her guidance, the Shelter Project was launched to rehabilitate homeless and landless individuals nationwide.
Transforming Lives: Sheikh Hasina’s Vision for Inclusive Development
From Bangladesh’s birth to its emergence as a middle-income country, every step forward has been guided by leader Sheikh Hasina. Despite political challenges, the spirit of democracy endured, yet many continued to struggle, their aspirations overshadowed by harsh realities.
Today marks a profound transformation under the leadership of Bangabandhu’s daughter, Sheikh Hasina, the Awami League government has provided homes and land to approximately 867,977 displaced families, benefiting over 4.39 million people. According to the project norm, the ownership documents are handed over to the wife and husband on the spot with immediate effect.
In the Mujib Year alone, 266,012 families received shelter, resettling 1.33 million individuals. Additionally, 4,448 families displaced by climate-related events are being resettled in modern, multi-story buildings in Khurushkul, Cox’s Bazar, where 640 poor families have already found refuge. The government has also built disaster-resistant houses for vulnerable grassland communities and eco-friendly homes for hill-dwellers.
Empowering Through Economic Independence
Beyond housing, initiatives to enhance economic prospects for resettled individuals are underway. Specialized training in various professions is being provided to enhance employability. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has facilitated interest-free and low-interest loans to foster economic independence. Rural savings banks have been established in every upazila, supporting farmers, laborers, unemployed, and low-income individuals. Loans without collateral are now accessible for animal husbandry, vegetable farming, and agriculture, enabling families to prosper through Bangladesh’s development-oriented infrastructure.
This holistic approach not only ensures shelter but also empowers individuals to build sustainable livelihoods, contributing to the nation’s socio-economic development goals. Sheikh Hasina’s unwavering commitment to inclusive development continues to transform lives across Bangladesh, embodying a vision of progress and prosperity for all.
Transforming Quality of Life: Statistical Comparisons
Since 2017, the quality of life for disadvantaged individuals in Bangladesh has seen remarkable improvements. By 2022, their income surged by 70%, reflecting.
Enhanced economic opportunities and stability. Consumption of nutritious food soared from 24.67% to 94.50%, indicating significant dietary improvements. Savings increased by 50%, underscoring financial security and resilience. Educational enrollment rose from 43.50% to 68.52%, illustrating expanded access to learning opportunities. Access to safe drinking water improved from 61.57% to 93.7%, while sanitation coverage expanded from 38.38% to 94.68%, ensuring healthier living conditions. Electricity coverage grew to 97.89%, fostering connectivity and productivity in households. Initiatives promoting gender equality ensured women’s half-ownership of households, enhancing family security and socioeconomic empowerment.
Empowering Vulnerable Communities: Pathways to a Brighter Future
Government allowances now reach vulnerable groups like the elderly, widows, disabled, and helpless, providing essential support for their children to pursue education and leave behind child labor. Free education and stipends enable underprivileged youth to attend school, fostering hope and opportunity.
Environmental sustainability is prioritized with initiatives to plant fruit, forest, and medicinal trees in project villages to promote greening efforts. Essential infrastructure for living standards, including electricity, drinking water, and sanitation, is universally ensured. Specially designed houses for destitute minority families ensure dignified living conditions for all.
Sheikh Hasina’s Vision: A Beacon of Hope
Reflecting on the legacy of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who championed sheltering the helpless during the nation’s reconstruction, his daughter Sheikh Hasina continues this noble mission with unwavering dedication. As a public leader, she remains a steadfast guardian of the Bengali nation, illuminating millions of lives with her visionary leadership.
As Bangladesh celebrates its golden jubilee of independence, each day concludes with the satisfaction seen in the smiles of those returning to their homes. This enduring warmth signifies the growth of Sonar Bangla, not only as a prosperous nation but also as a beacon of compassion and inclusive societal development.
