About RUSTIC

Bangladesh is a developing country in south-east Asia with a population of over 148 million. Over 47 million of these people are living below the poverty line, the most vulnerable of which being the women and children.

The Khulna region, including Bagerhat, is located in the remote south-western part of the country. The disaster prone coastal area has endured at least five major or large scale natural disasters within last 15 years, including Sidr, Iila, Amphan and Reshmi- all taking place in the last decade. It also stands at a distance from the major economic center of Dhaka. The infrastructure is poor and communication can at times be treacherous. As a result, the region is vulnerable to socioeconomic challenges.

Disasters, both natural (the environment) and man-made (the economy) are the root causes of the issue. Lack of education and absence of comprehensive data means that these problems are compounded in terms of deciding the ground reality and set correct course of action. Despite enormous possibilities (Khulna is the second largest sea-port in the country), rampant and non-stop de-industrialization adds fuel to the worst case scenario. At least 230 large and small industries shut down or called lay-offs in the region in last two decades.

COVID-19 has worsened an already fragile situation to say the least. This dealt a heavy blow to an already under-employed population, especially for the urban or pro-urban populations.

Attempts to increase the agricultural yield and protect human settlements from cyclone and tidal surge embankments led to the construction of the Coastal Embankment Project (CEP). Yet since the 1960s, this government intervention has had an adverse impact on one of the most complex and biologically productive ecosystems in the world; almost permanent drainage congestion and water logging have endangered traditional agriculture and livelihood in the region.

Moreover, much of the agrarian land is becoming permanently or partially barren because of saline water due to indiscrete cultivation of so-called shrimp and shrimp-fish polycultures.

Since 1988, social activists began raising awareness, giving suggestions and providing financial, technical and mental support in order to find a possible solution to the population’s problems. They intended to establish a formal, legal and workable organization to ensure safe water and sanitation, conserve bio-diversity, enhance human rights, and eradicate illiteracy, superstition, and the hypocrisy of religious fundamentalism from the society.

Therefore, RUSTIC emerged as a voluntary social development organization for the helpless to establish themselves financially, socially and culturally. RUSTIC targets the poorest of the community irrespective of race, cast or creed for an integrated development.