Bangladesh Suffers During Coronavirus Plague but Sees Sparks of Hope

One pastor reaches his community with essential supplies. (Photo courtesy of FMI)

While officially reported cases of COVID-19 remain low in Bangladesh, the pandemic is creating new struggles for many Bangladeshis.

On April 7, the total reported cases of COVID-19 in Bangladesh rose to 160 confirmed cases. Cases have continued to rise to the now 5,913 reported cases and 152 deaths. However, local partners say these numbers are underreported.

Limited COVID-19 Testing

Bruce Allen from FMI explains that there are very few testing sites in Bangladesh ready to test for cases of COVID-19. He says, “The members of our leadership team… are saying that the actual number of infection is most likely significantly higher.”

Limited testing and crowded cities make Bangladesh particularly vulnerable to diseases like COVID-19.

Allen says, “Bangladesh is one of the most crowded places on earth. When we’re talking about social distancing, that’s a phenomenon that most of Bangladesh cannon even relate to. They’d say, “How can I escape being in close contact with somebody else?”

Masks for Hospitals during COVID-19 Pandemic

Yet there are still sparks of hope for Bangladesh. One pastor, Rajib, and his church are fighting the pandemic by gathering essential supplies for those in need.

Allen explains that Rajib’s church wanted to show their community sacrificial love. Despite not having many resources to share in rural Bangladesh, they dedicated themselves to serving their community.

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SOURCE: Mission Network News, Sarah Traill

CALL TO ACTION

• Donate to FMI’s COVID-19 relief fund to send vital resources to Bangladesh.
• Pray for God’s providence in Bangladesh so that everyone can get the resources and care they need.
• Get involved with FMI to continue helping Bangladesh through this pandemic.