UN launches $134m humanitarian appeal for Bangladesh's disaster-affected communities

The United Nations (UN) and partners have launched a humanitarian appeal for $134 million to provide urgent relief and support to communities affected by ongoing and escalating floods in Bangladesh.

The move has been taken considering the situation in Bangladesh as dire due to frequent natural calamities, which requires immediate attention, said a press release today.

The press release said, "Since May 2024, Bangladesh has been severely impacted by four unprecedented and devastating climate-related disasters, including Cyclone Remal, flash floods in the Haor Region, riverine floods in the Jamuna Basin, and unprecedented floods in the eastern regions.

"These have had a catastrophic impact, affecting a staggering 18.4 million people across 45% of Bangladesh and causing significant damage to livelihoods and infrastructure."

This Multi-Hazard Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) results from a consultative process led by the government to respond to the most urgent needs through March 2025.

A humanitarian appeal was first launched in June 2024 for Cyclone Remal, and this is the third version of the plan, extended to cover all four emergencies.

The HRP aims to reach 2.5 million people across 28 districts of Bangladesh. The HRP has reached 1.8 million people with assistance despite receiving only 28 percent of the funding.

The revised plan is a crucial partnership tool for the government, UN, and non-governmental partners to continue coordinating the response. It also offers a common platform to raise much-needed additional funding.

The plan was launched by the Humanitarian Coordination Task Team (HCTT) co-chairs, the UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh, Gwyn Lewis, and Disaster Management and Relief Secretary Md. Kamrul Hasan.

"This is an unprecedented humanitarian crisis in Bangladesh, with multiple disasters unfolding consecutively over several months," said Lewis.
 
"The Government and humanitarian community are working tirelessly to provide relief and support to affected communities," said Lewis, adding, "We urge our development partners to contribute funds directly to participating organisations involved in the Humanitarian Response Plan and to continue to invest in disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation to build long-term resilience," she said.

Besides, the Disaster Management and Relief secretary said, "We must sustain our collaborative efforts through the Government, UN, multilateral, and NGO partners present at today's launch."

"The scale and frequency of disasters affecting Bangladesh is intensifying, and we must be prepared to adapt and support collective solutions to the climate crisis," he said.

Hasan added, "We're very proud of our record as a pioneer in anticipatory action. This is one of the tools we must continue to strengthen and work to 'build back better' following these disasters."

The revised HRP addresses the most urgent needs of the affected population, including child protection and education, displacement management, food and nutrition services to maintain dietary needs, primary healthcare services, and water supply and latrine reconstruction.

It prioritises the protection of vulnerable groups, such as women, children, transgender individuals, people with disabilities, and older adults.

Contributions will also help to protect livelihoods and build resilience in affected communities.