On July 8, YPSA provided anticipatory financial assistance to 100 families in Chittagong Metropolitan area and Banshkhali who are at risk from continuous rainfall and potential landslides. This assistance was provided under the project titled ‘Child-Centred Anticipatory Action for Better Preparedness of Communities and Local Institutions in Northern and Coastal Areas of Bangladesh’, funded by the German Federal Foreign Office and implemented in cooperation with Save the Children.
According to project sources, anticipatory preparedness activities were undertaken in accordance with the ‘No Regret Policy’ based on the analysis of weather and disaster forecasts indicating an increased risk of landslides. As part of this, cash assistance was distributed on July 8 in the Chottagram City Corporation area and on July 9 in the landslide-prone areas of Banshkhali upazila to 100 families.
In Banshkhali, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md. Ruhul Amin distributed the cash assistance to the YPSA beneficiaries.
Among the beneficiaries, 84 families received Unconditional Cash Assistance, and 16 female micro-entrepreneurs received Conditional Cash Assistance, amounting to BDT 6,000 per person. Officials stated that this assistance will enable the families to move to safer locations, collect food and essential items, and take initiatives to protect their livelihoods ahead of the potential disaster.
Upon receiving the landslide forecast, project officials, staff, and volunteers at various levels directly contacted the families living in risky hilly settlements. Additionally, awareness campaigns, risk assessments, advisories on evacuating to safer places, and coordinated preparedness activities with the local administration and disaster management committees were conducted.
Currently, the project is being implemented in Wards 7 (West Sholashahar), 8 (Sholakbahar), 9 (North Pahartali), and 14 (Lalkhan Bazar) of Chittagong City Corporation. Concurrently, activities are also being carried out in Pukuria, Sadhanpur, Kalipur, and Bailchhari unions of Banshkhali upazila.
Deen Mohammad, one of the beneficiaries, said, “In 2023, my son Abu Raihan was killed in a landslide in the Sholashahar area of Chittagong. At that time, due to financial crisis, I couldn’t move my family to a safer place. I have experienced firsthand how devastating a landslide can be.” He believes that this anticipatory assistance will help people living in the hills make safe decisions during times of risk.
Sanzida Akhter, Project Manager at YPSA, said, “The risk of landslides in the hilly areas of Chittagong is increasing due to the impacts of climate change. In this reality, forecast-based anticipatory actions, local community participation, and integrated disaster management initiatives can play a crucial role in saving lives and assets. I believe that anticipatory cash assistance will enable vulnerable families to make timely and safe decisions.”
It is worth noting that under this project, numerous families in the respective areas have previously (in 2025) been provided with cash assistance, hygiene kits, and kitchen kits.