Many Manta families live on boats along the rivers of southern Bangladesh. Without a permanent address, they can face barriers to birth registration, education, healthcare, identity documents and social safety-net programmes. River erosion, pollution and declining fish stocks add to the challenges.
At the MantaConnect learning event in Dhaka, community members and stakeholders called for sustained support shaped by the community’s priorities, including fair access to public services, education, healthcare, skills training and alternative livelihoods.
Through MantaConnect, YouthNet Global, JAAGO Foundation Trust and DocTime have supported birth registration for 200 children, trained 200 community members and engaged 30 local youth volunteers. Financial literacy training reached 150 people, 60% of them women.
We will continue working with the Manta community and partners to advance inclusive, lasting support that recognises their rights, culture and livelihoods.
