16 million people in Bangladesh face acute food insecurity, 1.6 million children malnourished: IPC analysis

A new national analysis has revealed that 16 million people in Bangladesh are facing severe levels of acute food insecurity, while 1.6 million children are suffering from acute malnutrition. The findings were presented today at a multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder workshop convened by the Ministry of Food in collaboration with UN agencies, FAO, UNICEF, and WFP, as well as NGOs Action Against Hunger and Save the Children.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) study, conducted in April 2025, shows that between May and December 2025, approximately 17 per cent of the analysed population across 36 districts and the Rohingya camps are projected to experience Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or Emergency (IPC Phase 4) levels of food insecurity. Among them, 361,000 people are expected to be in Emergency conditions, requiring urgent humanitarian assistance.

Cox's Bazar hosts the highest incidence, where both Rohingya host communities and surrounding populations in Ukhia and Teknaf face severe food insecurity, with nearly 30 per cent classified in Phase 3. Other high-risk districts include Sunamganj, Barguna, Bandarban, Noakhali, and Satkhira. Among Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar and Bhasan Char, 445,692 people, around 40 per cent of the analysed population, are projected to face Crisis or Emergency conditions.

The analysis identifies key drivers of food insecurity, including climatic shocks such as the 2024 floods, economic shocks like persistent inflation and market volatility, and funding gaps amid rising needs in refugee-hosting areas.

The nutrition situation is equally alarming. 1.6 million children aged 6–59 months are affected by acute malnutrition, including 144,000 with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and 1.4 million with Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM). Nearly 117,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women are also projected to suffer from acute malnutrition. This marks the first IPC Acute Malnutrition analysis covering 18 disaster-prone districts and Rohingya refugee populations.

Md Masudul Hasan, Secretary, Ministry of Food, said: "The latest IPC analysis provides a sobering picture. The urgency to act is clear. The Government of Bangladesh is committed to translating these findings into coordinated action to protect the most vulnerable."

Recommendations include delivering life-saving humanitarian assistance to populations in emergency conditions, expanding shock-responsive social safety nets, providing emergency agricultural and livestock support, and restoring livelihoods in flood-affected areas.

Abu Tahir Muhammad Zaber, Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, added: "We are committed to strengthening food systems, improving access to nutritious foods, and building resilience against climate shocks. Swift and collective action is imperative to ensure no one is left behind."

The IPC analysis was conducted through a rigorous, collaborative process involving government agencies, UN partners, NGOs, and technical experts. The workshop aims to integrate the findings into national planning and response strategies to guide evidence-based interventions.