As relentless rains batter southeastern Bangladesh, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is on the ground responding to rising needs in some of the country’s most vulnerable communities.
On 29 May, at the request of the Government, WFP activated its emergency response in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar District, just hours after flood warnings were triggered. Through its anticipatory action mechanism, 6,500 people received BDT 5,000 (US$43) per family, transferred directly to their mobile wallets. This early support allowed families to buy food and essentials, protect their homes and livelihoods, and brace for the days ahead.
“I’ve never received any money during past rainy seasons or floods,” said Nurul Begum, a recipient of WFP’s anticipatory flood assistance. “I will use this money to buy food for my children, repair my broken house, and save a little in case there’s another flood. I thank WFP for the 5,000 taka.”
“As always, climate shocks hit hardest in communities already living in poverty and facing high food insecurity. Because we acted early, families had a chance to prepare and face the storm with greater resilience and dignity,” said Dom Scalpelli, WFP Country Director in Bangladesh.
To respond to climate shocks throughout 2025, WFP has developed a four-phase emergency preparedness and response plan. It includes anticipatory action before the emergency hits to help people prepare; emergency food rations immediately after; financial support for affected people to access food as markets begin to reopen; and cash-for-work and income-generating activities to help communities recover quickly.
The plan aims to reach over 6 million of people at risk – although the actual number could be far higher – but faces a funding gap of US$55 million, with anticipatory action making up the largest share.
“Anticipatory action gave families a chance to prepare – to buy food, secure their homes, and stay safe. But this window is narrow, and resources are limited. We are calling on partners to act with us – early, fast, and at scale – to protect lives before the next wave of flooding hits,” added Scalpelli.
WFP’s latest response is part of a growing national effort to strengthen early action in Bangladesh. In 2024, over 15 AA frameworks were activated by UN agencies, the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, INGOs like CARE, Save the Children, and STEP, and the Start Fund. In 2025, 46 agencies are expected to implement AA frameworks, with increasing national leadership and expanded coverage of hazards like heatwaves, landslides, and droughts.
WFP’s anticipatory action is generously supported by partners including the European Union and donors contributing to our global Trust Fund — such as Germany and Ireland. We also acknowledge pooled funding and multilateral support, including from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and donors like Belgium, whose contribution enabled our recent AA response in Teknaf.
Meanwhile, in the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, home to over 1 million refugees, continuous rainfall has triggered flooding and landslides, affecting nearly all 33 camps. WFP is delivering fortified biscuits and hot meals to displaced families. Additional funding of US$2 million is urgently needed to replenish local stocks of fortified biscuits – an essential, vitamin-enriched ration that is ideal for emergencies and has been widely used in Bangladesh’s School Feeding Programme for over two decades.
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