Over 15 million people face acute food insecurity in Bangladesh: Report
A new national food security analysis warns that 15.3 million people are currently experiencing acute food insecurity, with the number projected to rise to 18.1 million by the end of 2026 without timely intervention.
Highlights:
- 15.3 million people currently face acute food insecurity in Bangladesh
- Number projected to rise to 18.1 million between September and December
- Nearly 483,000 people already in Emergency (IPC Phase 4) conditions
- CHT, haor areas, coastal districts and Rohingya camps among worst-hit regions
- Climate shocks, inflation and high food prices identified as key drivers
More than 15 million people in Bangladesh are currently facing acute food insecurity, with the situation expected to worsen later this year, according to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Acute Food Insecurity Analysis unveiled today (23 July).
The analysis, jointly launched by the Ministry of Food, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), Action Against Hunger, Save the Children and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), estimates that around 15.3 million people, or 15% of the analysed population, are experiencing IPC Phase 3 or above between May and August 2026.
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Of them, around 483,000 people are facing Emergency (IPC Phase 4) conditions, requiring urgent humanitarian assistance.
The report warns that the situation is likely to deteriorate further between September and December 2026, when the number of people experiencing acute food insecurity is projected to increase to 18.1 million, including approximately 787,000 people in Emergency conditions.
The findings were presented at a high-level dissemination workshop in Dhaka organised by the Food Planning and Monitoring Unit (FPMU) under the Ministry of Food, bringing together senior government officials, UN agencies, development partners, academics and civil society representatives.
According to the analysis, the highest levels of acute food insecurity are concentrated in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, the haor region, selected coastal districts, and among the displaced Rohingya population living in Cox's Bazar and Bhasan Char.
State Minister for Food Md Abdul Bari said Bangladesh remains committed to using evidence-based analysis to guide policies and investments aimed at protecting food security and strengthening resilience.
"The IPC findings will help us target resources more effectively and reinforce our collective efforts to support vulnerable communities facing increasing climate and economic pressures," he said.
Food Secretary Abu Taher Md Masud Rana said the report would serve as an important resource for policymakers, development partners and humanitarian agencies in designing targeted interventions to strengthen food and nutrition security and enhance resilience.
NGO Affairs Bureau Secretary (Director General) Dr Mohammed Jakaria stressed that ensuring food security requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach involving government agencies, development partners, NGOs and research institutions.
The report identifies multiple factors behind the worsening food security situation, including adverse weather, floods, inflation, rising fuel and food prices, global supply chain disruptions and broader economic challenges that have eroded household purchasing power.
It warns that without timely interventions, these pressures could further limit millions of people's access to sufficient and nutritious food.
Participants at the workshop recommended expanding life-saving food assistance, strengthening shock-responsive social protection programmes, promoting climate-resilient agriculture, supporting livelihood recovery and increasing investment in disaster preparedness and early warning systems.
FAO Representative Dr Jiaoqun Shi said investing in climate-smart agriculture, sustainable livelihoods and local food production is essential not only to address immediate food insecurity but also to protect vulnerable communities from future climate-related shocks.
WFP Representative and Country Director Coco Ushiyama said the IPC analysis helps identify communities most at risk before crises deepen, allowing authorities and humanitarian agencies to target assistance more effectively and strengthen resilience.
The Ministry of Food and its partners reaffirmed their commitment to working together to address immediate food insecurity, improve resilience to future shocks and support Bangladesh's long-term food security goals.
