YPSA, with funding and oversight from Save the Children in Bangladesh (SCI), is implementing the BGD HF – Anticipatory Action Trigger Based Pilot – 2026 in selected landslide-prone areas of Chattogram, covering Wards 7, 8, 9 and 14 of Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) and Pukuria, Sadhanpur, Kalipur and Bailchhari Unions of Banshkhali Upazila.
On 17 August 2026, the Storm Warning Centre of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) issued a warning indicating the possibility of landslides in hilly areas of Chattogram Division. Following the warning and fulfilment of the project’s predefined trigger, anticipatory actions were activated to provide timely support to vulnerable households before the potential impact of landslides.
Under the project modality, 420 selected vulnerable households – 210 from Chattogram City Corporation and 210 from Banshkhali Upazila – are targeted to receive BDT 6,100 in cash assistance per household, enabling them to take timely preparedness and protective measures and reduce potential losses from landslide risks.
Considering the heightened landslide risk and greater level of impact in Banshkhali Upazila, the planned caseload was reprioritized to address the areas of greatest need. Consequently, all 420 households were covered in Banshkhali Upazila, instead of proceeding with the cash distribution to the 210 households initially planned for the CCC area.
The distribution covers four severely affected areas of Banshkhali:
- Pukuria Union
- Sadhanpur Union
- Kalipur Union
- Bailchhari Union
As part of the “Anticipatory Action Trigger-Based Pilot-2026”, an orientation meeting was held at the Banshkhali Upazila Officers’ Club to strengthen coordination and preparedness in landslide-prone communities. Md Ruhul Amin, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Banshkhali, attended as the chief guest.
During his remarks, Md Ruhul Amin highlighted the importance of timely assistance in enabling at-risk families to take protective measures before a disaster, thereby minimizing potential losses to lives, assets, and livelihoods. Given Banshkhali’s vulnerability to multiple hazards as a coastal upazila, he appreciated the anticipatory action initiative and recommended broadening its coverage beyond landslide-prone hilly areas to reach more vulnerable households. He further acknowledged the valuable support of the local administration and Union Parishads in beneficiary identification, verification, and assistance delivery.
Mohammad Arafat Hossain, Project Coordinator of BGD HF – Anticipatory Action Trigger Based Pilot – 2026 said the project combines forecast monitoring, household verification, community awareness, and stakeholder coordination. He added that post-distribution monitoring (PDM) and lessons learned will help assess the intervention and strengthen future anticipatory action.
The distribution was jointly facilitated by representatives of YPSA and Save the Children. Beneficiaries highlighted the importance and timely need for the assistance in helping them prepare for and cope with potential disaster impacts.
From Save the Children
- Farabi Akash – Officer ( Anticipatory Action )
From YPSA
- Arafat Hossain – Project Coordinator
- M. Shahriar Alam – MEAL Officer
- Nazmul Hasan Rakib – MEAL Officer
- Abdul Aziz – Project Officer
- Mahinur Akter – Project Officer
- Kalyan Barua – Development Worker
- Gazi Sazzad Alam – Field Facilitator
- Salauddin Bhuiyan – Field Facilitator
The programme brought together representatives from the local administration, government departments, union parishads, civil society, media, YPSA, and community volunteers.
Through this initiative, YPSA and Save the Children aim to strengthen the preparedness of landslide-risk communities in Banskhali by enabling timely action before disasters occur, while building community resilience and reducing potential impacts on lives, livelihoods, and assets.