Turning the tide: How CERF-funded anticipatory action helped families navigate floods in Bangladesh and Nepal

Bangladesh | 2024 | CERF

In 2024, severe monsoon floods threatened thousands of families in Bangladesh. In the Jamuna Basin, five districts—Bogra, Jamalpur, Gaibandha, Kurigram and Sirajganj—braced for what was predicted to be one of the worst floods in recent years.

But this time, instead of waiting for the disaster to peak, CERF enabled FAO, UNFPA, UNICEF and WFP, along with local partners, to act ahead of the crisis—including through the provision of cash assistance.

As the Jamuna Basin swelled above the danger level in early July 2024, CERF AA framework was triggered, allowing WFP to send mobile cash transfers of 5,000 BDT to over 75,000 families in at-risk districts.

Sabina Yasmin, living in rural Sirajganj with her husband and their two children, describes the impact of the cash assistance received:

"On the day the water rose, we received some money from WFP, which allowed us to buy food using a makeshift raft to get to the market. This cash assistance was a relief for us. We bought lentils, salt and other dry food essentials. Before that, I didn’t have a single penny on hand, so that money made a huge difference."

A few months later, further north, relentless rainfall pushed rivers beyond their banks in Nepal’s Terai region, flooding entire villages. The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology’s warning signalled an imminent disaster, prompting the activation of Nepal’s AA framework.

Within just six minutes of the trigger, CERF released $3.4 million in funding, enabling four UN agencies (FAO, UNFPA, UNICEF and WFP), in collaboration with the Nepali Red Cross Society and NGO partners, to provide humanitarian assistance in anticipation of the flooding to over 138,000 at-risk people.

Among them was Sukamain Bati Sada, a mother of five, who received 16 hermetic storage bags from FAO and partners to preserve her grains. “Earlier, I was always worried about water ruining our grain,” Sukamain shares. “But now, these bags have kept our food safe, ensuring we have a steady food supply year-round.”

The airtight, moisture-resistant bags have provided Sukamain with newfound security. With grain now safely stored, her family prevented food spoilage and managed to get through the flood with adequate provisions.

The mayor of Sukamain’s village, Birendra Majhi, proudly calls the initiative a “game-changer.” “These bags provide a sustainable solution to protect our grains from moisture, pests and the recurring challenges of flooding. This initiative not only secures our food supply but also uplifts the resilience of our entire municipality,” he says.

By getting ahead of the flood, CERF funding helped families protect their food sources, prevent disease outbreaks and recover more quickly.

Posted May 2025.
More information on the CERF's work in 2024
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