Bangladesh, a South Asian nation of about 165 million people, faced many challenges and opportunities in 2022. Despite ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, political turmoil, human rights violations and environmental issues, country also witnessed some positive developments and achievements in various fields. Here are some of top good stories and news in Bangladesh in 2022:
– Bangladesh achieved its highest ever ranking in Human Development Index (HDI), a measure of social and economic progress, in 2022. country ranked 133rd out of 189 countries, up from 136th in 2019, according to United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Bangladesh also improved its scores on life expectancy, education and per capita income indicators.
– Bangladesh became one of fastest growing economies in world in 2022, despite impact of Covid-19. country’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 6.8% in fiscal year 2021-22, according to World Bank, surpassing pre-pandemic level of 5.2% in 2019-20. growth was driven by strong performance in agriculture, manufacturing, remittances and exports sectors.
– Bangladesh made significant progress in reducing poverty and inequality in 2022, according to a report by Asian Development Bank (ADB). report estimated that poverty rate declined from 24.3% in 2016 to 18.6% in 2020, and further to 16.4% in 2021. report also noted that Bangladesh reduced its Gini coefficient, a measure of income inequality, from 0.482 in 2016 to 0.458 in 2020.
– Bangladesh launched its first ever satellite into orbit on November 21, 2022. satellite, named Bangabandhu-1, was developed by Bangladesh Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization (SPARRSO) with technical assistance from China. satellite will provide telecommunication, broadcasting and remote sensing services to Bangladesh and neighboring countries.
– Bangladesh won its first ever gold medal at Asian Games, held in Hangzhou, China, from September 10 to September 25, 2022. medal was won by shooter Abdullah Hel Baki, who scored a record-breaking 250.8 points in men’s 10m air rifle event. Bangladesh also won two silver medals and four bronze medals at games, making it best performance by country so far.
Top bad news about Bangladesh in 2022
Bangladesh, a densely populated country of more than 160 million people, faced many challenges and crises in 2022. From political repression and human rights violations to natural disasters and the Covid-19 pandemic, the country struggled to cope with various problems that affected its people and economy. Here are some of the top bad news about Bangladesh in 2022:
Fire at Rohingya refugee camps
One of the most devastating incidents that occurred in Bangladesh in 2022 was the massive fire that broke out at the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar on March 5. The fire, which was reportedly caused by planned sabotage, destroyed thousands of shelters, killed at least 15 people, injured hundreds more, and displaced tens of thousands of refugees who had fled from persecution and violence in Myanmar. The fire also destroyed humanitarian facilities, including health centers, schools, and food distribution points. The UN and other aid agencies appealed for urgent support to help the affected refugees, who faced dire conditions and increased risks of disease outbreaks, trafficking, and exploitation.
Political crackdown and media censorship
The government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina continued to crack down on political opponents, activists, journalists, and critics in 2022, using draconian laws such as the Digital Security Act (DSA) and the Anti-Terrorism Act to arrest and prosecute them on vague and arbitrary charges. According to Human Rights Watch, more than 1,000 people were arrested under the DSA in 2021 alone, many of them for expressing dissenting views or reporting on corruption and human rights abuses. The government also blocked access to several online news portals and social media platforms, and harassed and intimidated journalists who exposed its misdeeds.
Covid-19 pandemic and vaccine shortage
Bangladesh faced a severe shortage of Covid-19 vaccines in 2022, as its main supplier, India, halted exports due to its own domestic crisis. Bangladesh had ordered 30 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine from India’s Serum Institute, but only received 10 million doses by March 2022. The government then scrambled to secure alternative sources of vaccines from China, Russia, and other countries, but faced delays and uncertainties in delivery. As a result, Bangladesh’s vaccination campaign slowed down significantly, leaving millions of people unprotected against the virus. The country also experienced a surge in Covid-19 cases and deaths in April 2022, forcing the government to impose a nationwide lockdown that disrupted economic activities and livelihoods.
Air pollution and environmental degradation
Bangladesh suffered from severe air pollution and environmental degradation in 2022, ranking among the worst countries in the world in terms of air quality and climate change vulnerability. According to IQAir, a Swiss air quality monitoring platform, Lahore in Pakistan was the most polluted city in the world in 2022, followed by Dhaka in Bangladesh. The main sources of air pollution in Bangladesh were vehicle emissions, industrial emissions, brick kilns, crop burning, and dust from construction sites. Air pollution contributed to various health problems among the population, such as respiratory infections, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), stroke, and cancer. Bangladesh also faced the impacts of climate change, such as rising sea levels, salinity intrusion, flooding, cyclones, droughts, landslides, and erosion. These phenomena threatened the lives and livelihoods of millions of people who depended on agriculture and fisheries for their income.