The Ministry of Food on Thursday launched the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Acute Food Insecurity Analysis for Bangladesh at a high-level dissemination workshop in Dhaka, revealing that 15.3 million people are facing acute food insecurity between May and August 2026, with conditions expected to worsen later this year.
The workshop was jointly organized by the Ministry of Food, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations World Food Program (WFP), Action Against Hunger, Save the Children and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN). It was held under the leadership of the Food Planning and Monitoring Unit (FPMU) and brought together senior government officials, development and humanitarian partners, academics and civil society representatives.
According to the analysis, around 15% of the analyzed population—approximately 15.3 million people—is experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above) between May and August 2026. Among them, about 483,000 people are facing Emergency conditions (IPC Phase 4).
The report projects the situation will deteriorate between September and December 2026, with the number of people experiencing acute food insecurity expected to increase to 18.1 million, including 787,000 people in Emergency conditions.
The analysis identified some of the highest levels of acute food insecurity in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, the Haor region, selected coastal districts, and among displaced Rohingya people living in Cox's Bazar and Bhasan Char.
State Minister for Food Md Abdul Bari said: "Bangladesh is committed to using evidence-based analysis to guide policies and investments that protect food security and strengthen resilience. The IPC findings will help us target resources more effectively and reinforce our collective efforts to support vulnerable communities facing increasing climate and economic pressures."
Food Secretary Abu Taher Md Masud Rana said: "Evidence-based and data-driven decision-making is essential for effective policymaking. I hope the findings of this IPC report will serve as a valuable resource for policymakers, development partners, and humanitarian agencies in designing targeted interventions, strengthening food and nutrition security, and enhancing the resilience of vulnerable populations in Bangladesh."
Secretary and Director General of the NGO Affairs Bureau Mohammed Jakaria said: "Food security cannot be achieved by one institution alone. It requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach. The NGO Affairs Bureau remains committed to supporting constructive partnerships with NGOs, development partners, UN agencies, research institutions, and government bodies to advance food security, nutrition, resilience, and sustainable development in Bangladesh."
The report identifies adverse climatic conditions, floods, inflation, rising fuel and food prices, global supply chain disruptions, and broader economic challenges affecting household purchasing power as the main drivers of worsening food insecurity. It warns that without timely interventions, these pressures could further reduce access to sufficient and nutritious food for millions of people.
Participants at the workshop discussed recommendations including scaling up food assistance, expanding shock-responsive social protection, strengthening climate-resilient agriculture, supporting livelihood recovery, and investing in disaster preparedness and early warning systems.
FAO Representative Dr Jiaoqun Shi said: "The findings highlight the urgent need to strengthen the resilience of agriculture and food systems, particularly in areas exposed to recurrent floods, cyclones and other climate-related shocks. Investing in climate-smart agriculture, sustainable livelihoods and local food production is critical not only to address immediate food insecurity, but also to protect vulnerable communities from future crises."
WFP Representative and Country Director Coco Ushiyama said: "The IPC analysis helps identify communities most vulnerable to food insecurity before shocks deepen their impact. Many of the areas highlighted in this analysis are currently facing heavy rainfall and flooding, particularly in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, where WFP has activated anticipatory action and supported the government's shock-responsive social protection response. Beyond informing emergency response, the IPC strengthens the systems needed to anticipate crises, target assistance more effectively, and build resilience among vulnerable communities."
The Ministry of Food and its partners reaffirmed their commitment to continued collaboration to address immediate food insecurity, strengthen resilience to future shocks, and support Bangladesh's efforts to achieve sustainable food security.