Supporting former refugees in Bangladesh

The Bihari population in Bangladesh, a stateless minority group, has faced decades of displacement and discrimination. Originating from India’s Bihar region, they were stranded in camps after the 1947 partition and the 1971 Bangladesh independence war. Although a 2008 Supreme Court ruling granted them Bangladeshi nationality, their living conditions remain poor.

To secure the future of the Bihari community, World Habitat is supporting a community-led initiative in collaboration with the Council of Minorities, an NGO focused on human rights. This project aims to explore the creation of a Community Land Trust (CLT) to provide land security, improve infrastructure, and develop sustainable housing solutions.

Since 2019, key activities have included:

• Focus groups with diverse community members to understand their needs and concerns.

• Research into land history and legal status.

• Mapping exercises and surveys to gather data on infrastructure and land use.

• Collaborations with international experts to develop community-driven strategies.

The project is paving the way for a community-led future where residents can have ownership and control over their land and homes.

To find out more about MOBA download a copy of our 2023 Annual Report or catch up with the latest CLH blogs.