Emergency Assistance for Flash Flood and Landslide Affected People of Chattogram and Sylhet divisions in Bangladesh

Introduction:

During the second week of September 2026, Chattogram Division of Bangladesh experienced heavy and continuous rainfall, which resulted in flash floods, hill water runoff, and landslides in several areas of Khagrachhari District. The situation caused significant damage to houses, livelihoods, and essential household assets and severely affected the lives and living conditions of local communities.

The adverse impacts were particularly severe for poor, vulnerable, and disadvantaged households who had limited resources and capacity to cope with the consequences of the disaster. In response to the emergency, Caritas Bangladesh, with financial support from Catholic Relief Services (CRS), initiated humanitarian assistance for affected families through its implementing partner, Zabarang Kalyan Samiti.

Under this response, unconditional cash assistance was provided to flood- and landslide-affected families in Golabari Union of Khagrachhari Sadar Upazila, Khagrachhari Hill District.

 Objective of the Assistance

The primary objective of the intervention was to provide immediate financial support to vulnerable and disaster-affected households so that they could address their priority needs and recover from the impacts of the flood and landslides.

The unconditional cash assistance was intended to:

• Support affected families in meeting their immediate essential needs;
• Reduce the financial burden caused by the disaster;
• Enable households to prioritize their own needs according to their individual circumstances;
• Contribute to improving the living conditions of poor and vulnerable families; and
• Support early recovery and restoration of household well-being.

 Assistance Provided

A total of 400 vulnerable and disaster-affected families were selected to receive unconditional cash assistance.

Thus, a total amount of BDT 2,400,000 (Twenty-four lac Taka) was allocated for 400 beneficiary families at BDT 6,000 per family.

 Distribution Event

The unconditional cash assistance distribution event was organized on 17 September 2026 (Thursday) at Golabari Union of Khagrachhari Sadar Upazila.

The event was attended by representatives of the local administration, Zabarang Kalyan Samiti, local political and community representatives, and other relevant stakeholders.

The Chief Guest of the event was Ms. Faria Sultana, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), Khagrachhari Sadar Upazila.

The Special Guest was Mr. Mathura Bikash Tripura, Executive Director, Zabarang Kalyan Samiti.

Other guests included Mr. Md. Kamal Hossain, President of Union BNP, and Mr. Md. Kashem, General Secretary of Union BNP.

The event was chaired by Mr. Ullash Tripura, Chairman, Golabari Union Parishad.

 Remarks of the Chief Guest

In her remarks, the Chief Guest, Faria Sultana, Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Khagrachhari Sadar, appreciated the role of non-governmental organizations alongside the Government in responding to disasters and supporting affected communities.

She stated that Zabarang Kalyan Samiti, with the support of Caritas, has been playing an important role in disaster response and humanitarian assistance in the area. She expressed her confidence that Zabarang Kalyan Samiti was implementing the assistance activities with transparency.

She further noted that Zabarang Kalyan Samiti had maintained communication, consultation, and coordination with the Government at different stages of the implementation process and had followed relevant advice and instructions.

The Chief Guest also highlighted that beneficiary selection is one of the most challenging aspects of humanitarian assistance. She appreciated Zabarang Kalyan Samiti's efforts to complete the beneficiary identification and selection process through consultation with local people and representatives at different levels in a transparent manner.

Other guests present at the event also expressed their appreciation and satisfaction regarding the overall cash assistance distribution process.

 Beneficiary Identification and Selection Process

To ensure that the assistance reached the most affected and vulnerable households, Zabarang Kalyan Samiti followed a structured beneficiary identification and selection process.

The process included:

• Identification of flood- and landslide-affected households;
• Household-level visits to collect relevant information;
• Assessment of the situation and needs of affected families;
• Consultation with local stakeholders and community representatives;
• Selection of eligible vulnerable and affected households;
• Verification of beneficiary information; and
• Maintaining communication and coordination with the relevant government authorities.

The beneficiary selection process was conducted with an emphasis on transparency, accountability, and inclusion.

Safeguarding and Community Awareness

As part of the distribution process, beneficiaries were also made aware of relevant safeguarding issues. Information was provided to beneficiaries regarding appropriate conduct, their rights, and the available mechanisms for raising concerns, complaints, feedback, or suggestions.

The distribution process incorporated community awareness and accountability measures so that beneficiaries could understand the purpose of the assistance and seek clarification or raise concerns when necessary.

 Complaints, Feedback and Suggestion Mechanism

A mechanism for receiving complaints, feedback, and suggestions was maintained throughout the implementation and distribution process.

Beneficiaries and community members were informed about the process through which they could communicate their concerns, provide feedback, or submit complaints regarding the assistance.

This mechanism was intended to strengthen accountability, transparency, and beneficiary participation in the humanitarian response.

Exit Interview:

During the distribution ceremony Staff of Zabarang conducted a total of 42 exit interview. Most of the respondents were happy with this support and their recommendations were for rehabilitation activities like livelihood support, infrastructure development through Cash for Work, Shelter and WASH.

 Transparency and Accountability

Zabarang Kalyan Samiti maintained communication and coordination with relevant government authorities throughout the implementation process. The organization also engaged local representatives and community members during beneficiary identification and selection.

The overall process included:

1. Household-level information collection;
2. Beneficiary identification and verification;
3. Consultation with local stakeholders;
4. Safeguarding awareness;
5. Cash assistance distribution;
6. Complaint, feedback, and suggestion mechanisms; 

These measures contributed to ensuring that the assistance was delivered in a transparent, accountable, and beneficiary-centered manner.

Conclusion

The unconditional cash assistance distribution was implemented to provide immediate support to 400 poor, vulnerable, and flood- and landslide-affected families in Golabari Union of Khagrachhari Sadar Upazila.

Each selected household received BDT 6,000, resulting in a total distribution of BDT 2,400,000. The intervention provided affected families with flexible financial support to address their most urgent needs following the disaster.

The active participation of the local administration, Union Parishad, community representatives, Caritas Bangladesh and Zabarang Kalyan Samiti contributed to the implementation of the assistance.

The beneficiary selection and distribution processes emphasized transparency, consultation, safeguarding, accountability, and community participation. 

Overall, the intervention represents a coordinated humanitarian effort to support disaster-affected and vulnerable families and contribute to their immediate recovery and improved living conditions following the flood and landslide events in Khagrachhari.

Challenge/problem faced/Special Note:

• Managing influential and political people.
• Responding to enormous complaints.