WHO WE ARE

HOW TO GET THERE

Global platform Bangladesh is situated in the capital city Dhaka at Gulshan-1 Area. Gulshan can be reached from anywhere by bus or car. From Gulshan-1 circle the platform is 7 minutes walking distance. You can use the following road to reach it easily.

Passport and Visa

A passport is valid for six months longer than your planned length of stay in Bangladesh and at least one blank visa page, visa and onward or return ticket are required to enter Bangladesh. Most of the countries, who do not have Bangladesh representatives are eligible for visitor (tourist) visas on arrival at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

However, Bangladesh has not widely publicised their policies for visa on arrival. You may encounter delays in airport visa issuance or be refused entry to countries in route to Bangladesh if you do not have a visa prior to arrival in Bangladesh. Therefore, we highly recommend that you obtain a visa prior to arrival at the Dhaka Airport.

Banks and currency

PRESENT RATE OF MAJOR FOREIGN CURRENCIES ( As on 27 January 2016)
USD 1 = 78 BDT
GPB 1 = 112 BDT
Euro 1 = 85 BDT

Health

It is vital that visitors take good care of their health and are rigorous about hygiene. They should take advice on health and hygiene prior to arriving in Bangladesh. Get proper vaccinations and bring a stock of your usual medications.

Emergency hospital contact address
In case of Illness, participants are requested to contact the emergency contact person(s). Nearby the Gulshan area ActionAid Bangladesh considers these following hospitals for medical check up / hospitalization:

United Hospital, Plot 15, Road No 71, Gulshan-2. Dhaka 1212, Phone: 02-8836000,
Apollo Hospital Dhaka, Plot: 81, Block: E, Bashundhara R/A, Dhaka 1229, Phone: 01713-064563
During Field Visit, visitors are requested to communicate with the person who will accompany her/him or communicate with LRP Partner Focal immediately. LRP Partner will contact local Physician or Hospital accordingly.

For more information visit: http://www.who.int/ith/en/

Safety

Communication

Participants can get in contact with family from the GP internet facilities and land phones. You will be able to buy sim cards with internet services in nearby kiosks.

Food

All 3 meals containing Bangladeshi cuisine will be provided in the Global Platform residential dining facilities. Participants can have tea and coffee served within the training spaces all day long. This platform is supplied with safe drinking water facilities (hot and cold).

Dress code

Bangladesh is a country of diverse set of population. It is not required for the participants to be formally dressed during the training but they are preferred to maintain decent dressing. It is important to cover shoulders and legs, in loose fitting clothing, and be respectful of the Islamic culture. Bangladesh generally enjoys a tropical monsoon climate.

Three seasons are mainly prominent - summer, monsoon and winter. Winter is normally from November to February with temperature between 12°-20° Celsius. Continuous Monsoon starts from July till October with 70% rainfall. In summer starting from March, the temperature is between 26°-38° Celsius.

Average weather is hot and humid with no temperature drops at night or day. All Visitors are advised to wear loose fitting clothes especially women. For places outside Dhaka female participants might prefer ‘Shalwar Kamiz’ (similar to loose trousers, long loose shirt and scarf) as that is one of the traditional dresses worn by Bangladeshi women. Carrying an umbrella would protect oneself from sudden monsoon rain and scorching sun when in outdoors.

Culture and norms

The population is ethnically homogeneous with few minority groups. People here practise various religions Islam, Hinduism, Christianity and Buddhism Majority of the population are Muslims. Indigenous traditional culture of Bengal has contributed the shaping of a cultural heritage that is unique to Bangladesh. The staple diet is rice, meat and fish. People always use their right hand, when reaching out to shake hands or give something, it is important to use your right hand.

Our people are very warm and hospitable and are friendly towards foreigners. When in Bangladesh, you may feel at times that people are smiling at you or looking at you, this is a friendly gesture. Do you know that if you warm up to them or smile back, it will be a special day for them to remember! However if you feel someone is harassing you, you should immediately leave the place if possible, or report the matter to the police or seek assistance from your local colleagues/ GPB facilitator.

You should be especially mindful of the cultural values and socially acceptable ways of interacting with people, especially with the persons of the opposite sex. Your hosts will cover these topics in greater detail during the face to face cultural and security briefing, upon your arrival in the country.

Language

People mostly here speak Bangla but in urban areas English is widely understood.

Entertainment

Lots of multi-cuisine restaurants, cafes, international food chains and brand shops are located in the Gulshan area. Nearby there is situated Asia’s second largest shopping mall and multiplex cinema halls with latest international movie premiers. There are local handicraft shops and music lounges with live music nights on weekday/weekends.