The plight of persecuted Christians in Bangladesh: A growing humanitarian crisis

In Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority country, the situation for Christians has worsened considerably in recent years. With the Christian population representing less than 1% of the total, these groups face increasing persecution, particularly in rural areas. As religious intolerance intensifies, Christian communities are increasingly marginalised, not only socially, but also in terms of access to basic needs such as clean water.

In many remote villages in Bangladesh, Christians have been displaced from their ancestral lands due to pressure from extremist groups. These lands, which often contained essential water sources, are now out of reach. Without access to wells or clean water systems, many Christian families rely on contaminated water sources, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases such as cholera and diarrhoea.

The situation is particularly dire in the Chittagong Hill Tracts district, where Christians, who often belong to ethnic minorities, are victims of violence and discrimination. Local authorities, in many cases, ignore their needs, leaving these communities in a situation of extreme vulnerability. Non-governmental organizations and humanitarian groups have attempted to intervene, but face significant obstacles, including lack of resources and government restrictions.

Lack of access to clean water is just one of the many challenges facing Christians in Bangladesh. However, it is a fundamental problem that, if not addressed, could have devastating consequences for their health and well-being in the long term. It is urgent that the international community pay attention to this humanitarian crisis and provide the necessary support to ensure that these vulnerable communities have access to basic needs, such as clean water, and can live in dignity and security.