The International Organization for Migration (IOM) distributed life-saving emergency assistance to 1,000 flood-affected families in Chattogram and Cox`s Bazar today as communities grapple with the devastating impacts of recent monsoon flooding.
In Banshkhali Upazila, Chattogram, IOM distributed emergency shelter items (tarpaulin) to 500 families whose homes were damaged or destroyed by floodwater, helping them secure temporary shelter and protect their belongings from further exposure.
In Pekua Upazila, Cox`s Bazar, IOM provided emergency food assistance and emergency shelter items (tarpaulin) to 500 flood-affected families. Each family received emergency relief packages containing 10 kilograms of rice, 2 kilograms of lentils (masur dal), 1 kilogram of salt, 1 litre of edible oil and one tarpaulin, providing immediate food assistance alongside essential shelter materials.
The distributions were carried out in close coordination with local authorities to ensure assistance reached the most vulnerable households in the aftermath of the floods.
"Across Bangladesh, families have seen their homes, belongings and livelihoods disrupted by severe flooding," said Dr Laura Tomm Bonde, Chief of Mission of IOM Bangladesh. "Our priority is to ensure that those most affected receive timely assistance to meet their immediate needs while supporting communities on the path to recovery. We remain committed to working alongside the Government of Bangladesh and our partners to strengthen preparedness and resilience as climate-related disasters become more frequent and severe."
The assistance comes as many parts of Bangladesh continue to experience heavy monsoon rains, which have inundated communities, damaged homes and critical infrastructure, and disrupted access to essential services. For many families, emergency shelter and food assistance are critical first steps towards recovery.
Bangladesh remains one of the world`s most disaster-prone countries and is increasingly affected by the impacts of climate change. In 2025, IOM estimated that 4.96 million people were internally displaced by disasters, many experiencing prolonged displacement and repeated climate-related shocks.
The emergency assistance in Banshkhali and Pekua forms part of IOM`s broader disaster response and climate resilience portfolio in Bangladesh. Alongside emergency relief, IOM supports disaster preparedness and resilience efforts across the country through investments in local disaster management institutions, cyclone shelters, community preparedness, structural mitigation, watershed restoration and emergency response assistance. This includes strengthening the capacities of disaster management committees, Cyclone Preparedness Programme volunteers and cyclone shelter management committees, while improving access to cyclone shelters for communities at risk. IOM also supports livelihood recovery, research and data on disaster displacement, and policy development to integrate human mobility into disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation frameworks.
As monsoon rains continue, IOM is working closely with the Government of Bangladesh, local authorities and humanitarian partners to strengthen a collective approach to preventing displacement, protecting displaced populations and advancing durable solutions. Enhanced disaster risk reduction, resilient infrastructure, anticipatory action and community preparedness will be essential to protecting lives and reducing future humanitarian needs.
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