Bangladesh — humanitarian situation

Bangladesh faces overlapping humanitarian crises driven by both natural disasters and protracted displacement. Heavy rains beginning in early July 2026 triggered widespread flooding and landslides across seven districts of Chattogram Division, affecting approximately 1.3 million people UNFPA. The flooding has damaged infrastructure and isolated remote communities from essential services, with particular concern for an estimated 364,000 women of reproductive age, including 17,490 pregnant women, who face increased barriers to accessing reproductive health care UNFPA. These climate-related shocks compound existing vulnerabilities in a country already hosting a massive refugee population and facing broader regional climate threats linked to El Niño forecasts that could impact agricultural production WFP. The protracted Rohingya refugee crisis continues to strain humanitarian resources in Cox's Bazar and Bhasan Char, where approximately 1.19 million refugees remain in highly congested camps as of March 2026 UNHCR. The refugee population is predominantly vulnerable, with women and children comprising 78 percent of the total. More than 136,800 individuals have specific needs, including nearly 100,000 persons with disabilities UNHCR. Restrictions on movement, livelihoods, skills development, and education keep refugees highly dependent on humanitarian assistance, limiting self-reliance and prolonging aid dependency. The protection environment for Rohingya refugees remains constrained by structural barriers. During the national elections in February 2026, UNHCR reinforced remote engagement channels and helpline capacity to maintain service delivery during reduced in-person humanitarian presence, responding to over 500 calls on 11 February alone UNHCR. Irregular onward movement from Bangladesh continues, with Bangladeshi nationals accounting for a notable share of South Asian irregular arrivals to Europe via the South-West Asia route, which saw nationals from the region double from 15 percent of Mediterranean arrivals in 2021 to 30 percent in 2025 UNHCR. The convergence of flood response needs with ongoing refugee assistance demands sustained international support across multiple sectors, particularly health, protection, and shelter.