The United Nations World Food Programme is on the ground responding to rising needs in some of the country鈥檚 most vulnerable communities as relentless rains batter southeastern Bangladesh, says a press release.
On 29 May, at the request of the Bangladesh interim government, the WFP activated its emergency response in Teknaf, Cox鈥檚 Bazar, just hours after flood warnings were triggered.
It stood beside families comprising 6,500 people. Each family received Tk 5,000, 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.
鈥業鈥檝e never received any money during past rainy seasons or floods,鈥� said Nurul Begum, a recipient of WFP鈥檚 anticipatory assistance.
鈥業 will use this money to buy food for my children, repair my broken house, and save a little in case there鈥檚 another flood. I thank WFP for the 5,000 taka,鈥� she added.
鈥楢s 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,鈥� 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 people at risk 鈥� although the actual number could be far higher 鈥� but faces a funding gap of US$55 million, with anticipatory action making up the largest share.
鈥楢nticipatory action gave families a chance to prepare 鈥� 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 鈥� early, fast, and at scale 鈥� to protect lives before the next wave of flooding hits,鈥� added Scalpelli.
WFP鈥檚 anticipatory action in Teknaf 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, 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.
Meanwhile, in the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox鈥檚 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 鈥� an essential, vitamin-enriched ration that is ideal for emergencies and has been widely used in Bangladesh鈥檚 School Feeding Programme for over two decades.
