Dhaka:Bangladesh is expanding its disaster risk reduction and emergency preparedness measures in response to ongoing threats from floods, cyclones, tidal surges, and river erosion, which endanger lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure across the nation.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the government has allocated more than Tk 1,510 crore for the Cash for Work program and over Tk 1,454 crore for rural infrastructure maintenance this fiscal year. These efforts are part of a comprehensive disaster management strategy that integrates emergency preparedness, resilient infrastructure, social protection, early warning systems, and community-based response mechanisms.
The Employment Generation Programme for the Poorest (EGPP) has created jobs for approximately 20 lakh rural workers, with one-third being women. Additionally, more than 5 lakh metric tonnes of food grains have been distributed through the Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) and Kabikha programs. Humanitarian assistance continues for over 11 lakh forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals.
To expand the shelter network, the government is constructing, renovating, and developing 450 cyclone and disaster shelters at a cost of Tk 150 crore. Construction of an additional 448 shelters in areas prone to river erosion and flooding is underway. This expansion aims to provide safe refuge for communities exposed to frequent disasters.
The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief has initiated canal excavation and re-excavation programs to reduce waterlogging, improve irrigation, and maintain ecological balance. Tree plantation efforts accompany these initiatives to enhance environmental sustainability and prevent soil erosion.
For efficient disaster response, land has been acquired for the establishment of a National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC), with construction plans in progress. The government has invested around Tk 521 crore in modern rescue equipment and 11 aerial platform ladders to enhance earthquake response and other emergency operations.
Efforts to strengthen early warning and communication systems include achieving 100 percent wireless communication coverage under the Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP) and developing an online database of 78,100 volunteers to bolster emergency response capabilities. People nationwide can access weather forecasts via the toll-free number 1090, with disaster forecasting being enhanced through satellite technology.
The government has identified 445 earthquake shelters in Dhaka as part of its disaster preparedness strategy. A coordinated volunteer database is being developed to mobilize 100,000 volunteers in Dhaka and surrounding areas, gathering information on volunteers from various organizations.
Bangladesh remains vulnerable to a variety of natural hazards, including floods, cyclones, and river erosion. The severe monsoon floods and landslides in July 2026 affected approximately 1.28 million people across seven districts, resulting in 59 deaths and significant damage to homes and cropland. The United Nations estimated that around 436,000 people required humanitarian assistance, with livestock and fisheries sectors suffering losses estimated at US$17.3 million.
Coastal districts are particularly susceptible to cyclones and tidal surges, while riverbank erosion forces families to relocate, leading to the loss of farmland and settlements. Drought and water shortages impact agricultural production in northern regions, and landslides pose a risk in hilly areas.
As climate change exacerbates these risks through sea-level rise and more intense weather events, Bangladesh's disaster preparedness efforts focus on strengthening local readiness, improving drainage and flood management, and ensuring rapid relief and rehabilitation to reduce community vulnerability. The success of these measures depends on coordination among government agencies, local authorities, volunteers, and communities.