Char Dwellers: Citizens Left Behind on the Frontline of Poverty

Bangladesh has earned global recognition for its remarkable progress in economic growth, poverty reduction and human development. Yet, beyond the country’s impressive achievements lies a forgotten population whose daily struggle remains largely invisible to policymakers and the wider public. These are the char dwellers, millions of people living on temporary river islands formed by sediment deposits along the Jamuna, Brahmaputra, Padma, Meghna and Teesta rivers. Despite being citizens of Bangladesh, they continue to experience chronic poverty, repeated displacement, limited access to public services and persistent violations of their basic rights.

According to estimates by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), and development organisations, between five and six million people live in more than 1,000 chars scattered across the country’s major river systems. Every year, thousands of families lose their homes, farmland, schools and livelihoods because of river erosion and seasonal flooding. Climate change has further intensified these challenges, making the chars among the most vulnerable regions in Bangladesh.

Agriculture remains the backbone of the char economy. Most households depend on small-scale farming, livestock rearing, fishing or daily wage labour. Seasonal migration to nearby towns has become increasingly common as families seek alternative sources of income during floods or crop failures. According to studies by World Bank and Practical Action Bangladesh, many char households survive on less than Tk300 to 400 per day, significantly below the national average household income. Limited employment opportunities, poor market access and lack of financial services continue to trap families in chronic poverty.

Healthcare is another major concern. Many chars lack permanent health facilities, qualified doctors, trained midwives and emergency transport. Pregnant women often travel several kilometres by boat to reach the nearest health centre, losing valuable time during medical emergencies. Immunisation services, maternal healthcare, nutrition programmes and treatment for common diseases remain inadequate in many remote areas. Research conducted by icddr,b, UNICEF, and UNFPA has shown that maternal and child health indicators in many char communities are significantly worse than the national average. Malnutrition, diarrhoeal diseases, respiratory infections and waterborne illnesses remain widespread because of unsafe drinking water and poor sanitation.

Education continues to be one of the greatest barriers to breaking the cycle of poverty. Although primary school enrolment has improved, dropout rates remain high due to poverty, long travel distances, seasonal flooding, child labour and early marriage. Many schools are damaged or washed away during floods, disrupting children’s education for months. Shortages of qualified teachers and inadequate learning facilities further reduce the quality of education. Girls face additional challenges, including insecurity during travel, domestic responsibilities, and early marriage, all of which limit their educational opportunities.

The human rights situation of char dwellers deserves far greater national attention. Access to justice, land ownership documents, banking services, digital connectivity, electricity, safe housing, and social protection programmes remains limited. Many families struggle to obtain birth registration, national identity cards and other official documents, restricting their access to government services and financial inclusion. Women, children, older persons and persons with disabilities experience multiple forms of discrimination and vulnerability.

Despite these challenges, char dwellers have demonstrated extraordinary resilience. Through community cooperation, local innovation and support from development organisations, many communities have adopted flood-resistant farming, floating gardens, raised homesteads, climate-resilient crops and disaster preparedness measures. Organisations have implemented programmes on livelihoods, education, healthcare, women’s empowerment, disaster risk reduction and financial inclusion. These initiatives have improved living conditions in many areas but remain insufficient to reach all vulnerable households.

Addressing the challenges faced by char dwellers requires sustained political commitment rather than short-term project interventions. The government should prioritise climate-resilient infrastructure, riverbank protection, mobile healthcare services, quality education, safe drinking water, digital connectivity and expanded social protection for char communities. Access to affordable credit, agricultural extension services, climate-resilient livelihoods and secure land tenure should also receive greater policy attention. Equally important is strengthening disaster preparedness, early warning systems and legal protection for people displaced by river erosion.

Civil society, universities, the media, private sector institutions and local governments all have important roles to play. Greater research, evidence-based policymaking, public awareness and citizen participation can ensure that the voices of char dwellers are reflected in national development planning. Development should not be measured solely by urban growth or economic indicators but also by how effectively it reaches those living in the country’s most remote and vulnerable regions.

Bangladesh has pledged to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by leaving no one behind. That commitment cannot be fulfilled while millions of char dwellers continue to live without adequate healthcare, quality education, secure livelihoods and equal opportunities. Recognising their rights, investing in their resilience and integrating their needs into national development policies are obligations of a democratic and inclusive state. Only then can Bangladesh truly claim that development belongs to every citizen, including those living on its ever-changing river islands.
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The writer is the Editor and CEO of News Network