Helplines in Bangladesh

If you or someone with you is in danger, call 999. It is the national emergency service and covers police, fire and ambulance. This register has not yet been able to confirm a national mental health or emotional-support line in Bangladesh on an official source, so for now 999 is the first call in a crisis.

The official pages for these services do not say which languages they work in, and none states that English is available. Expect calls to be answered mainly in Bangla. If you don't speak it, still call 999 in an emergency, give your location as clearly as you can, and stay on the line. Emergency services usually find a way to help.

Women and children facing violence, or anyone worried about them, can call the National Helpline for Violence against Women and Children on 109. It is run by the government and listed among the national emergency numbers. If you need to get away from home, shelter addresses are kept confidential for safety, so ask the helpline what safe options exist rather than looking for an address. Children who need help or protection, or adults concerned about a child, can call Child Helpline 1098.

The official pages do not give opening hours for 109 or 1098, so if one doesn't answer, try again or call 999 if the situation is urgent. Short numbers like these are dialled exactly as shown. Each entry was checked at its official source, with the date of that check beside it.