WFP provides cash aid to 15,600 flood-risk households in Bandarban

The United Nations World Food Programme has disbursed cash aid to over 15,600 households in Bandarban affected by severe flooding, through its anticipatory action and shock-responsive social protection programmes.

The support reached approximately 75,000 people in Bandarban Sadar and Lama upazilas, as relentless rainfall and flooding continued in the Chattogram Hill Tracts.

Under the anticipatory action programme, the World Food Programme transferred Tk5,000 via mobile financial services to vulnerable households identified as being at heightened risk. This initiative delivers humanitarian support before disasters strike, using weather forecasts and pre-agreed triggers.

The agency also activated its shock-responsive social protection mechanism, providing emergency cash top-ups to vulnerable families enrolled in government social protection programmes, helping them cope during the crisis.

The assistance was delivered in partnership with the World Food Programme's cooperating partner, Bolipara Nari Kalyan Somity.

The response follows persistent rainfall that has caused flooding in Bandarban, Rangamati and Khagrachhari districts, with forecasts warning of further rain and heightened risk for more communities.

"Climate shocks are becoming more frequent and intense in Bangladesh, making early action more important than ever," said World Food Programme Representative and Country Director in Bangladesh, Coco Ushiyama.

"By delivering assistance before families are hit by the worst impacts of flooding, we help them protect their food security, livelihoods and assets. At the same time, by strengthening and leveraging national social protection systems, we can support vulnerable people at scale when crises strike," she added.

Bangladesh is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change. More frequent and severe floods threaten lives, livelihoods and food security, particularly in disaster-prone areas such as the Chattogram Hill Tracts.

Since 2017, the World Food Programme has implemented anticipatory action initiatives in Bangladesh, under the leadership of the Government of Bangladesh and with support from multiple partners.

Evidence gathered by the agency and its partners indicates that every $1 invested in anticipatory action globally can generate up to $7 in avoided losses and additional benefits, highlighting the value of early action.

The World Food Programme has also supported the Government of Bangladesh in strengthening its social protection systems and making them more responsive to climate-related shocks.

Through shock-responsive social protection, government programmes can be rapidly expanded during emergencies to provide timely assistance and help vulnerable households avoid sinking deeper into crisis.