Bangladesh
The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is helping people in Bangladesh
Last updated: 16 February 2026
Bangladesh is one of the world's countries most at risk from disasters, particularly cyclones and floods, and their impact can be devastating.
In 2024–2025 alone, disasters such as Cyclone Remal and monsoon floods affected 18 million people nationwide, severely damaging homes, infrastructure, agriculture and essential services.
The country is continuing to cope with the protracted Rohingya refugee crisis. Over one million Rohingya refugees remain in camps in Cox’s Bazar and on Bhasan Char Island, and at least 150,000 people arrived between June and December 2025. Conditions in the camps remain extremely challenging due to overcrowding, limited services, landslide and flood risks and fires.
The Bangladesh Red Crescent continues to provide lifesaving and climate resilience support.
Bangladesh in numbers
- With a population of over 177 million people, growing at 1.21% annually, Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. It has an average of 1,366 people per square kilometre.
- Bangladesh ranks as the 13th most vulnerable nation to climate change.
- 41% of the population live in rapidly urbanising areas.
- The number of people exposed to extreme river floods in Bangladesh is expected to grow by 6 million to 12 million by the 2040s.
- There are only 0.92 hospital beds available per 1,000 people.
- The adolescent fertility rate in Bangladesh is 81 per 1,000 adolescents (among the highest rates in the world).
- Bangladesh ranks 130th on the Human Development Index.
Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement response
The British Red Cross has worked in partnership with the Bangladesh Red Crescent since 2006.
Our projects reach around 250,000 people living across the country in urban and rural areas, helping them to:
- prepare for climate-related risks and disasters, know what to do when they happen and recover afterwards
- get access to clean water and hygienic sanitation, and understand how this helps stop disease
- gain the skills and support they need to diversify and protect their livelihoods from climate change
Communities are at the core of our projects. Most are run through community committees using their local knowledge to organise what needs to be done in their areas. The Red Cross and the government provide technical support as needed.
Climate adaptation work is built around nature-based solutions. This work helps to restore ecosystems like ponds, rivers and mangrove forests, which offer protection and benefits to the surrounding communities.
This approach creates long-term solutions so people can help themselves, their families and their communities during crises and every day.
The British Red Cross will continue to support the Bangladesh Red Crescent’s development. Work continues building upon their local presence and strengths in climate-smart programming, a role in ensuring safer access and greater resources for migration and displacement, cash preparedness, community engagement and accountability.
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