29 Dec
News and Updates

2020 in Review: 12 Months of Perseverance, Purpose & Progress

Here are just a few of our accomplishments. Stay tuned for a full annual report coming soon! In 2020... 43,026 people were treated in our health clinics this year. 397 people had their vision restored through cataract surgery. 284 women were empowered through training at our Sewing Centers. 9,336 students benefited from our educational programs. We launched a new Computer Training...

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27 Dec
Relief and family assistance

Blankets Provide Warmth in the Camps

While many of us enjoy the warmth and festivities that accompany the winter season, for camp residents this time of year can be particularly harsh. The drafty makeshift homes, often with only a tarp as a roof and bamboo for the walls, provide little protection from frigid temperatures and exposure to the elements. To provide relief against cold winter temperatures, OBAT...

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24 Dec
Empowerment

7 Sewing Machines Create Income-Earning Opportunities

Women in the camps have access to virtually zero opportunities to earn an income. Many of them make paper bags for a living which brings in very little to support their families. OBAT’s sewing training centers have been changing that by enabling the women to learn the skills of sewing and embroidery, so that the camp women can launch their...

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22 Dec
Health

New Life-Saving Equipment Strengthens Frontliners in Fight against the Pandemic

OBAT’s partners, MedGlobal and Latter Day Saints Charity, funded the generous donation of a central oxygen system and other life-saving equipment and PPE supplies to the Ukhiya Health Complex in Cox’s Bazar on December 7th. The system has the capacity to supply oxygen to 20 patients simultaneously for 48 uninterrupted hours. Additionally, the distributed medical equipment included 100 sets of Personal...

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20 Dec
Rohingya relief

Health Camps Provide Care to 869 Camp Residents

During December, a total of 869 camp residents, 385 in Geneva camp and 399 in Mirpur camp received desperately-needed healthcare and medication support thanks to two OBAT Health Care camps! OBAT’s Dhaka team organized the mobile health camps in collaboration with HMBD (Health Management in Broader Dimension) Foundation, providing medical exams, treatment, as well as medication support including vitamins, calcium...

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18 Dec
Education

Victory Day Celebrations Bring Joy to the Camps

This year, Bangladesh’s Annual Victory Day celebrations on December 16th were curtailed by the ongoing pandemic. Normally, the streets would be bright with festivities, parades, and excited people - but this year, the country was modestly quiet as celebrations took on a more cautious approach. In the camps, similarly, activities were more subdued, but the day did not pass without...

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15 Dec
Uncategorized

58 Patients Identified for Cataracts Surgery

Blindness from cataracts is incredibly common in poor countries, yet it’s a relatively simple and inexpensive condition to treat. Restoring vision to cataracts patients does more than return their sight - it allows them to re-enter the community as productive citizens, enables them to live without assistance reducing the burden on already struggling families, and provides them with a life...

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10 Dec
Education

Camp Youth Receive 52 Computers!

Children who grow up in camps are at a huge disadvantage when it comes to attaining the education and training they need access to real career opportunities. Camp resources are minimal and too often residents are relegated to low-paying, menial work, leaving them stuck in the cycle of poverty for generations to come. But OBAT’s Computer Training Centers have been...

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04 Dec
Think tank

Think Tank Offers Assistance on World Disability Day

International Day of Disabled Persons is observed across the globe each year on December 3rd to promote an understanding of disability issues and to mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. In recognition of this important event, OBAT’s Think Tanks observed #WorldDisabilityDay by recognizing the disabled camp residents, bringing attention to their plight, and taking...

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