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Current Requirements (US$)$35.6 million
Crisis overview
Bangladesh is among the world’s most vulnerable countries to climate change, facing critical environmental challenges that pose significant threats to both its population and ecosystems. 2024 will be remembered as one of the worst years in recent history due to an intense cyclone and monsoon season. The increased frequency and severity of these events have further worsened already precarious conditions for millions of people across the country.
Cyclone Remal (May 2024):
Cyclone Remal made landfall in Bangladesh on 26 May 2024, causing severe destruction across 400 square kilometres with storm surges 8-12 feet above normal levels. It displaced 800,000 people and affected 4.6 million, resulting in 18 deaths. Significant impacts included 173,866 homes destroyed or damaged, 434,000 people in urgent need of aid, and $90.7 million in crop losses. Extensive flooding from tidal surges damaged embankments, cropland, water points, and sanitation facilities. Total damages to assets and infrastructure were estimated at $600 million. The cyclone also impacted India, triggering flooding and landslides.
North-Eastern Floods (June 2024):
Heavy rains in mid-June triggered floods in six districts of Habiganj, Kishoreganj, Moulvibazar, Netrokona, Sunamganj, and Sylhet, affecting 3.74 million people, with 1.4 million requiring urgent assistance. The floods displaced 723,331 people, severely damaged water points, sanitation facilities, schools and disrupted livelihoods. By early July, 260,000 people remained displaced, with significant needs in WASH, education, and non-agricultural income restoration.
Northern Floods (July 2024):
From 3 July, rising water levels in the Brahmaputra-Jamuna River system triggered floods affecting 5.13 million people in seven districts, namely, Bogura, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Rangpur, and Sirajganj. Infrastructure and livelihoods were heavily impacted, with large-scale displacement and damage to crops and properties reported.
Eastern Floods (August 2024):
Prolonged monsoon rains in August affected 5.8 million people in 11 districts, with 67 fatalities. Overcrowded shelters and damage to WASH facilities heightened health risks and protection concerns. Schools were converted into shelters, affecting education for 1.75 million students. Losses included $34 million in livestock and $121.6 million in fisheries, with 1.8 million people needing food assistance. An inter-agency mission identified urgent needs in WASH, such as food, health, protection, and livelihood restoration.
Feni, Bangladesh
Children navigate floodwaters on a makeshift raft, searching for shelter.
UNICEFResponse priorities in 2025
The Humanitarian Response Plan for Cyclone and Monsoon Floods in Bangladesh (June 2024 to March 2025), now covers Cyclone Remal and monsoon floods in various regions of Bangladesh. The cyclone response targets the most affected districts of Bagerhat, Barguna, Barisal, Bhola, Khulna, Patuakhali, Pirojpur, and Satkhira in the Barishal and Khulna divisions. The North-Eastern flood response focuses on the districts of Habiganj, Kishoreganj, Moulvibazar, Netrokona, Sunamganj, and Sylhet, while the Northern riverine flood response primarily addresses anticipatory action-related interventions in Bogra, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, Kurigram, Madaripur, Shariatpur, and Sirajganj. For the Eastern floods, the response targets the five most affected districts: Cumilla, Feni, Khagrachari, Laxmipur, and Noakhali.
The response plan prioritizes interventions based on vulnerability criteria, including gender, age, and disability, with a focus on the most vulnerable people. These include children aged 0-23 months and 6-59 months with signs of malnutrition, as well as children under age five. Additionally, survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) are targeted, along with displaced households whose homes have been destroyed, incomes lost or who lack the ability to return to their places of origin. Households facing severe food insecurity, including those at IPC 3+ and below the poverty line, as well as those in IPC 4, will also receive prioritized support. Vulnerable school-aged children, including out-of-school children and informal learners, are part of the response, alongside disadvantaged farmers who require assistance to resume basic agricultural activities. Furthermore, individuals who have experienced livelihood losses, particularly informal daily wage earners, are included in the response plan to ensure their recovery and well-being.
Feni, Bangladesh
A man assists an elderly woman through floodwaters on a raft.
UNICEF/MukutFinancial requirements
The response plan aimed to provide dignified and accessible assistance to the most vulnerable populations, with a particular focus on hard-to-reach areas. The strategic objectives included restoring access to essential services—such as water, sanitation, healthcare, and education—while supporting livelihoods for early recovery. Addressing immediate protection risks was also a priority, ensuring the safety of women, men, boys, and girls from violence, exploitation, and abuse.
The third revision of the Response Plan for Cyclone and Monsoon Floods in Bangladesh, June 2024 to March 2025, was developed in response to emerging needs resulting from Cyclone Remal, the North-Eastern floods, the Northern riverine floods (Jamuna River), and the Eastern flash floods. Anticipatory action mechanisms supported the response to the Northern riverine floods. A total of $134 million was required to meet these urgent needs, and as of 25 November, only 28 per cent ($27.2 million) of the plan had been funded.
Bangladesh
2024 in review: Response highlights and consequences of inaction
Response highlights
As of 15 November 2024, humanitarian partners reached 1.3 million people or 52 per cent of the planned target of 2.5 million across eight Divisions, 28 districts and 179 Upazilas, with 1,548 planned activities completed. Food assistance was the largest sectoral response, followed by WASH interventions and multi-sector assistance, which provided seven or more services to the same household, including Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance. Physical access to remote locations initially posed significant challenges, compounded by a political transition, nationwide blockades, and curfews that disrupted supply chains and delayed program implementation. These issues also increased safety and security risks for women, girls and marginalized communities. However, access constraints have now been resolved, allowing response efforts to proceed effectively.
To enhance transparency and coordination, an online interactive dashboard was launched, enabling sectors to report progress in real time and ensuring timely updates on humanitarian activities.
Consequences of inaction
If underfunding persists, critical humanitarian activities will face significant disruptions:
Gender-based violence
Over 200,000 people may not receive GBV risk mitigation and intervention services
Mental health and psychosocial support services
Mental health and psychosocial support services for over 400,000 individuals could be jeopardized
Rental assistance
Rental assistance for 26,000 families could remain unavailable
School
Hygiene and cleaning materials, and support for cleaning school premises may not reach affected schools, leaving 160,000 children without safe learning environments.
Cash food assistance
Cash food assistance for 1.2 million people and livelihood support for 428,000 farmers could be significantly curtailed
Dignity kits
Dignity kits for 42,095 individuals, including women, adolescents, and gender-diverse groups, might not be delivered, compromising their access to essential emergency aid
Cash support
Cash support aimed at preventing child marriage in households with adolescent girls could be halted, and emergency life-saving drugs for 130,000 people in flood-affected areas may not be distributed
Severe acute malnutrition
Treatment for severe acute malnutrition in approximately 2,000 infants could be suspended
Such gaps would disproportionately affect local NGOs, which are vital in delivering frontline assistance.
References
- The Humanitarian Response Plan for Cyclone and Monsoon Floods in Bangladesh (June 2024 to March 2025) is equivalent to a Flash Appeal, rather than a full-fledged Humanitarian Response Plan.