WFP, MoDMR report urges stronger plans against climate change in Bangladesh

This week, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR) released the "State of Anticipatory Action 2024" report, highlighting the transformative potential of anticipatory action (AA) in disaster risk management.

The report outlines significant progress made in 2024 while emphasising the urgent need to address funding and coverage gaps to safeguard vulnerable communities in Bangladesh from escalating climate-related disasters.

About the report, Mr Razwanur Rahman, Director General of the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) under the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR), said, "This report shares the main lessons, impacts, and opportunities to improve and expand Anticipatory Action. In 2024, we achieved some major successes showing the value of Anticipatory Action. By providing cash support before Cyclone Remal, we reduced the damage to coastal communities and protected livelihoods while ensuring people had essential resources. Similarly, the AA support during the July floods and localised hazards helped prevent big economic losses."  He added that while allocating financing for AA in 2025 and onwards, the MoDMR plans to expand AA to cover more disasters, improve early warning tools and increase community-level involvement.

Despite these achievements, the report identifies critical gaps that must be urgently addressed. For 2025, a significant funding shortfall persists — of the USD 42 million required, more than half remains unfunded. The most considerable funding needs are for monsoon floods (USD 24 million), cyclones (USD 10 million), and flash floods (USD 8 million).

Additionally, over 54% of households in need were left unsupported in 2024, with flash floods experiencing an 88.2% coverage gap. The need to expand coverage remains pressing.

The report underscores the necessity for anticipatory action to combat escalating risks in 2025. It identifies 23 districts for coverage, including new frameworks targeting cold waves, landslides, droughts, and heavy rainfall. Over 4.1 million households face potential exposure to significant hazards, with 2.7 million likely to experience significant impacts.

The report recommends exploring risk pooling, anticipatory action insurance, and multi-year funding commitments to address these challenges to ensure long-term sustainability.

"While the report underscores significant progress in institutionalising and operationalising in Anticipatory Action in Bangladesh, funding and coverage gaps persist. By addressing these gaps through enhanced coordination, innovative financing and expanded hazard coverage, Bangladesh can solidify its position as a global leader in AA," said Riccardo Suppo, Head of Programmes, WFP Bangladesh. He also thanked donors, including the European Union, Germany, Ireland, UN CERF, KOICA, and others, for supporting AA efforts in Bangladesh.