YPSA, with support from Save the Children, organized a Lessons Learned Workshop under the BGD HF – Anticipatory Action Trigger Based Pilot Project-2026 at Hotel Agrabad, Chattogram, on 12 October. The workshop aimed to review project achievements, reflect on implementation challenges, document key lessons learned, and identify recommendations to strengthen future anticipatory action interventions.
The workshop brought together officials from Chattogram City Corporation (CCC), District Relief and Rehabilitation Office (DRRO), Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), Department of Forest, Department of Fisheries, Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE), Department of Livestock Services, Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Department of Environment (Metropolitan), and Fire Service and Civil Defence. Project beneficiaries, women entrepreneurs, and school-based MET Club members from Banshkhali and Chattogram City Corporation also participated, contributing community perspectives and implementation experiences.
The session was initiated by Ataul Hakim, Programme Officer, GFFO,followed by welcome remarks from Md. Akhfaruzzaman Rubel, Senior Officer – Advocacy, Save the Children, who emphasized the importance of institutional learning and stakeholder coordination in strengthening anticipatory action. Waziha Faiza, Officer – Knowledge Management, subsequently presented an overview of the project’s implementation, achievements, operational challenges, and emerging lessons.
During the discussion, Mohammad Ashraful Amin, Secretary and Acting Chief Executive Officer of Chattogram City Corporation, appreciated the project’s implementation and highlighted the importance of prioritizing households exposed to landslide risks while ensuring environmental protection. He further emphasized the critical role of government institutions and coordinated efforts in strengthening disaster preparedness and response.
Under the project, YPSA, with support from Save the Children, provided BDT 6,000 per household to 420 vulnerable households across Sadhanpur, Kalipur, Pukuria, and Bailchhari unions of Banshkhali Upazila. The assistance was designed to enable at-risk households to undertake early preparedness measures and mitigate the potential impacts of heavy rainfall and landslides.
The workshop facilitated discussions on forecast-based trigger activation, beneficiary identification and verification, cash assistance delivery, community preparedness, accountability, and operational coordination. Participants reflected on implementation experiences and identified opportunities to improve the timeliness, inclusiveness, and effectiveness of future anticipatory action programming. The workshop concluded with an emphasis on strengthening multi-stakeholder coordination, evidence-based learning, and community-centered approaches to anticipatory action. The insights and recommendations will inform future interventions aimed at enhancing preparedness, reducing disaster-related vulnerabilities, and building resilience among at-risk communities in Bangladesh.