Poor Bangladesh?

Foreword: As a developing country with no significant raw material reserves but an immense population, Bangladesh certainly does not belong to the rich countries of the world. But with a per capita income of about $ 1,400 in 2015 ($ 523 in 2006), the country is statistically, in the lower midfield. In the last few years the country has made a huge development in the fight against poverty, the poverty rate has actually halved. The myth of grinding poor Bangladesh, however, remains. The concentration of NGOs of all kinds is the highest in the world and more than a few tourist agencies in Europe speak of “one of the poorest countries in the world”.

Help yes, but wisely.

Sure, a lot of people still live in poverty, especially in the country, this is ubiquitous. Beggars can be found almost everywhere, at lively places and crossroads, at mosques, on ferries, in trains and also in the buses. The form of begging differs drastically from that in India. Foreigners in Bangladesh are more an attraction here and have not yet been discovered as a source of income. There is also begging in a passive, restrained way.
Dhaka, with some of the most international business districts and the embassy district, is an exception. Many of the poor rural families who came to Dhaka to seek their fortune have discovered these quarters as a way to secure their livelihood through begging. This is more or less intrusive, whether mothers with small children in their arms or groups of children. The border is fluent and if you want to help, please do not have money, because then you support this dubious business model.

Alms only for the elderly and handicapped.

If you are on the road, you should always have something small money for the old and disabled in your pocket. Five Taka are enough, ten - and this has nothing to do with avarice – are the upper limit. More would be quite simply too much, measured by the daily earnings of a factory worker. Money should be given to the elderly and disabled, since Bangladesh is not a welfare state and these people do not receive social benefits. Children should not get any money, this rather pay attention in the form of some time, bananas and sweets.