What started as student protests against government job quotas, turned into tense and violent large-scale clashes with police by late July, culminating in the resignation of Bangladesh’s Prime Minister of 15 years, Sheikh Hasina, at the beginning of August, when she left the country.
In the aftermath, the country experienced immediate heightened tension and worry. Whilst many people were jubilant, celebrating out on the streets, robbery, looting and violence were breaking out in places around the country. The police force were not at work, fearful for recrimination, and police stations were left unstaffed, leaving opportunistic crime to take place unchallenged. Some minority groups, especially Bangladesh’s Hindu community, have been fearful of attacks, which have been reported against families, businesses and places of worship.
In the past week, tensions have thankfully been reducing, aided by the army’s appointment of a caretaker government, led by Nobel Laureate and elder statesman, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, who is now leading Bangladesh through its immediate transitional period. Schools are reopening, public transport is back up and running, businesses are rolling their shutters back up, and the police are slowly returning to work.
Lepra’s staff and partners are all safe and well, but our vital work supporting people affected by leprosy and lymphatic filariasis (LF) in the country has been put on pause until it is safe for us to be working again, especially in the rural communities. Lepra’s Bangladesh team is closely monitoring the situation and in constant contact with the team in the UK. We will begin the process of reopening services, activities and offices as soon we can, but the safety and security of our people and partners is of prime importance.
As is so often the way, people affected by leprosy and LF bear a disproportionate impact on their wellbeing during time of national crisis. Health services have been interrupted, livelihoods have ground to a halt, especially for those who rely on wage labour and small business activities, and people have been confining themselves to their homes wherever possible.
As Bangladesh charts its course through these unknown waters of transition and towards new elections, Lepra commits to increase its efforts and support, working with and for people affected by leprosy and LF in the country, to ensure that they are not left behind in the nation’s rebuilding. It is the best thing we can do.
