The International Organization for Migration (IOM) says it is scaling up life-saving assistance in 10 flood- and landslide-hit districts of Bangladesh, while calling for sustained international support to help communities cope with increasingly frequent climate-related disasters.
More than one million people across 10 districts have been affected and at least 51 have died after weeks of torrential rain, flooding and landslides triggered one of Bangladesh's worst monsoon emergencies this year, says a press release on Thursday.
According to government figures, more than 38,400 people were staying in over 1,000 evacuation centres. The affected population includes more than 52,000 Rohingya refugees and over 13,000 people with disabilities.
Warning that continued rainfall could further worsen the situation, IOM renewed its call for sustained international support to help vulnerable communities cope with increasingly frequent climate-related disasters.
"Families have lost homes, livelihoods and loved ones. This emergency underscores the growing human cost of climate-related disasters and the urgent need to strengthen resilience before disasters strike," said IOM Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Iori Kato.
“Families have lost homes, livelihoods and loved ones. This emergency underscores the growing human cost of climate-related disasters and the urgent need to strengthen resilience before disasters strike,” said IOM Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Iori Kato.
“IOM is working closely with the Government of Bangladesh and humanitarian partners to deliver life-saving assistance, support recovery and help communities prepare for increasingly frequent and intense climate shocks,” he added.
Chittagong and Cox's Bazar were among the hardest-hit districts, including the world's largest refugee settlement in Cox's Bazar, where heavy rainfall triggered flash floods and landslides that damaged more than 5,000 refugee shelters, along with community facilities and critical infrastructure.
Outside the camps, homes, roads, bridges, schools and other public infrastructure also sustained extensive damage, disrupting livelihoods and limiting access to essential services.
As co-chair of the Displacement Management Cluster, IOM said it had coordinated with cluster partners to identify the needs of affected communities and develop a plan for prioritized interventions.
Working with the government, the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner, district authorities and aid agencies, IOM has deployed emergency response teams across the affected areas.
The agency said emergency shelter assistance is being provided to families whose homes were damaged, while relocation support is helping move households away from landslide-prone hillsides and other high-risk areas.
Despite challenging conditions, IOM said it continues to operate mobile medical teams and health facilities, while protection teams are providing psychological first aid and targeted support for children and other vulnerable groups.
Bangladesh remains one of the countries most vulnerable to climate-related disasters. IOM estimates that disasters displaced 4.96 million people internally in 2025, many of them for prolonged periods.
With El Niño expected to intensify climate risks this year, the agency said it is working with partners a collective approach to prevent displacement, protect displaced populations and advance durable solutions. Enhanced disaster risk reduction, resilient infrastructure and anticipatory action will be essential to protect lives and mitigate future humanitarian needs.
