Country: Bangladesh Source: Oxfam Please refer to the attached file. Executive Summary Since 5 July 2026, persistent monsoon rainfall, runoff from the Chattogram Hill Tracts, overflow of the Sangu and Dolu rivers,…
What the source says
Country: Bangladesh
Source: Oxfam
Please refer to the attached file.
Executive Summary
Since 5 July 2026, persistent monsoon rainfall, runoff from the Chattogram Hill Tracts, overflow of the Sangu and Dolu rivers, and tidal backflow triggered severe flash flooding across Chattogram Division. Satkania and Banshkhali emerged as two of the worst-affected upazilas, experiencing widespread inundation of settlements, agricultural land, livelihoods, and public infrastructure. More than 360,000 people in Satkania and 110,000 people in Banshkhali were affected, while extensive damage was reported to housing, crops, fisheries, livestock, roads, water sources, and sanitation facilities.
To better understand the humanitarian impacts and priority needs of affected populations, Oxfam and CODEC conducted a Rapid Needs Assessment (RNA) in four flood-affected unions of Satkania and Banshkhali Upazilas. The assessment applied a mixed-method approach combining household surveys, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), observations, market assessments, and case studies. The assessment focused particularly on marginalized and vulnerable households, including female-headed households, persons with disabilities, older persons, and households with high dependency burdens.
The assessment found that housing and shelter were among the most severely affected sectors. Floodwaters entered almost all surveyed households, damaging homes, furniture, bedding, and essential household assets. Approximately 90-95% of households reported partial or complete loss of household belongings, while one-fifth experienced structural damage to their homes. Due to damaged housing and limited access to safe shelters, 40% of households in Satkania and 50% in Banshkhali reported temporary family separation, with members relocating to schools, neighbouring buildings, and safer elevated structures. Shelter repair materials, roofing materials, plastic sheeting, tools, and household utensils were identified as major recovery needs.
Access to safe drinking water emerged as one of the most critical humanitarian concerns. The flood damaged or contaminated 92% of drinking water sources, including deep tube wells and submersible pumps. Overall, 73% of households surveyed reported lacking access to safe drinking water, rising to 94% in Banshkhali. Communities relied on rainwater collection, distant water sources, and limited relief support. The deep groundwater table, typically 1,000-1,100 feet below ground level, makes installation of household-level deep tube wells financially challenging, highlighting the need for community-based, flood-resilient water supply systems.
Sanitation conditions deteriorated sharply during the flood. All latrines in the unions assessed were submerged, with up to 100% remaining unusable in some locations. More than half of surveyed households continued to use damaged toilets, while 23% reported practicing open defecation. Privacy and safety concerns were particularly acute for women and girls, with 93% of respondents reporting challenges in accessing safe sanitation facilities. Menstrual hygiene management was severely constrained due to the lack of facilities, privacy, and hygiene materials.
The disruption of water and sanitation services contributed to significant public health risks. Skin infections, diarrhea, and dysentery were widely reported, particularly among children. Only a small proportion of respondents reported no illness during the flood period. Limited access to healthcare services, transportation barriers, damaged roads, and financial constraints further restricted access to medical treatment.
Livelihoods were severely disrupted across both upazilas. Agriculture, which constitutes the primary income source for most households, suffered near-total losses. Approximately 95% of respondents reported impacts on crop production, livestock, and agricultural activities. Fisheries, wage labor, small businesses, and self-employment were also heavily affected. Many households lost productive assets, including agricultural land, seeds, tools, livestock, poultry, and business stock.
Food security conditions were particularly alarming. 90% of households surveyed reported insufficient access to food. Before the flood, more than half of households consumed three adequate meals per day; during the flood, no households reported maintaining this level of consumption. Nearly half reduced intake to two meals per day, while 29% survived only one meal daily. Women were disproportionately affected, with a higher proportion reporting severe reductions in food intake. Crop destruction, loss of food stocks, livelihood disruptions, rising food prices, and limited assistance were identified as the primary drivers of food insecurity. Signs of malnutrition were reported by 59% of respondents.
The assessment also identified substantial protection concerns. Female-headed households, households with persons with disabilities, households with elderly dependents, and child-headed households were identified as particularly vulnerable. Women and girls faced heightened risks due to damaged sanitation facilities, reduced privacy, increased caregiving responsibilities, and difficulties accessing services. Children faced elevated drowning risks during flooding, while persons with disabilities and older persons encountered considerable mobility challenges.
Markets had largely resumed operation at the time of assessment, and most essential commodities were available. However, 87% of households reported significant price increases, while 92% reported disruptions to employment opportunities and local labor markets.
The assessment identified food assistance, safe drinking water, hygiene support, sanitation restoration, healthcare, and unconditional cash assistance as the most urgent humanitarian priorities. Many households have exhausted food stocks, lost income sources, and are unable to meet basic needs. Rehabilitation of damaged water sources, provision of hygiene and dignity kits, and emergency health support are essential to reduce health and protection risks.
Early recovery efforts should focus on repairing damaged houses, reconstructing flood-resilient sanitation facilities, installing community-based deep tube wells, restoring livelihoods, and rehabilitating damaged roads and community infrastructure. Livelihood recovery support should include agricultural inputs, livestock and poultry replacement, fisheries rehabilitation, and support for small businesses and daily wage earners.
For long-term resilience, communities emphasized the need for climate-resilient livelihood options, strengthened disaster preparedness and early warning systems, improved drainage and river management, rehabilitation of embankments, and enhanced coastal flood protection measures. These interventions are critical to reducing future flood risks and strengthening the resilience of vulnerable communities.
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