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. The project initially covered Wards 7, 8, 9 and 14 of Chattogram City Corporation (CCC), as well as 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 the hilly areas of Chattogram Division. Following the warning and the fulfilment of the project’s predefined trigger criteria, anticipatory actions were activated to provide timely support to vulnerable households ahead of the potential impact of landslides.
Under the original project modality, 420 vulnerable households—210 from Chattogram City Corporation and 210 from Banshkhali Upazila—were targeted to receive BDT 6,100 each in cash assistance. The assistance was designed to enable households to take timely preparedness and protective measures and reduce potential losses associated with landslides.
As part of the “Anticipatory Action Trigger-Based Pilot – 2026,” two inception meetings were held in Chattogram City Corporation and Banshkhali Upazila to strengthen stakeholder coordination and enhance preparedness among communities vulnerable to landslides and other hazards. The inception meetings were conducted by Md. Ataul Hakim, Project Officer, Child-Centered Anticipatory Action, who presented the project’s objectives, implementation approach and the importance of coordinated anticipatory measures.
During the meeting in Chattogram City Corporation, Md. Ashraful Amin, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Chattogram City Corporation, raised concerns regarding the proposed beneficiary list. He noted that some selected beneficiaries were residing in hill areas and were considered by the CCC authorities to be illegal occupants. He expressed concern that providing financial assistance to these households could unintentionally encourage continued settlement in high-risk hill areas rather than relocation to safer locations.
He therefore advised that the beneficiary list be reviewed and revised by excluding households residing in such areas.
At the Banshkhali Upazila Officers’ Club, Md. Ruhul Amin, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Banshkhali, attended the inception meeting as the chief guest. He highlighted the importance of timely assistance in enabling at-risk families to take protective measures before a disaster, thereby reducing potential losses to lives, assets and livelihoods. Considering Banshkhali’s exposure to multiple hazards as a coastal upazila, he appreciated the anticipatory action initiative and recommended expanding its coverage beyond landslide-prone hilly areas to reach a broader range of vulnerable households.
He also acknowledged the valuable support of the local administration and Union Parishads in beneficiary identification, verification and assistance delivery.
Sanjida Akter, Program Manager, Child-Centered Anticipatory Action, highlighted YPSA’s longstanding engagement in anticipatory action initiatives. She stated that YPSA has been involved in anticipatory action from the outset, with field teams regularly monitoring conditions in high-risk areas. Based on emerging risks and community needs, YPSA has provided timely assistance to vulnerable households, supporting communities in taking early measures to minimize the potential impacts of disasters.
Mohammad Arafat Hossain, Project Coordinator of BGD HF – Anticipatory Action Trigger Based Pilot – 2026, said that the project combines forecast monitoring, household verification, community awareness and stakeholder coordination. He added that post-distribution monitoring (PDM) and lessons learned from the intervention would help assess its effectiveness and strengthen future anticipatory action initiatives
Considering the heightened landslide risk and greater level of impact in Banshkhali Upazila, the initially planned caseload was subsequently reprioritized to focus assistance on the areas of greatest need. Consequently, all 420 households were covered in Banshkhali Upazila, rather than proceeding with cash distribution to the 210 households initially planned for the CCC area.
The distribution covered four severely affected unions of Banshkhali:
- Pukuria Union
- Sadhanpur Union
- Kalipur Union
- Bailchhari Union
The distribution was jointly facilitated by representatives of YPSA and Save the Children. Beneficiaries highlighted the importance and timeliness of the assistance in helping their households prepare for and cope with potential disaster impacts.
Representatives from Save the Children
- Farabi Akash – Officer, Anticipatory Action
Representatives 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
Beneficiary information for the assistance distribution was collected through continuous field surveys and START Network data. Previous assessment findings and direct observations of conditions in affected areas were also considered to identify and prioritize the most vulnerable and at-risk households
Through this initiative, YPSA and Save the Children aim to strengthen the preparedness and resilience of at-risk communities in Banshkhali by enabling timely action before disasters occur and reducing potential impacts on lives, livelihoods and assets.