15,000
Tree planted at Char areas
850
Disaster-affected households received cash assistance
1,150
Farmers received training on Climate Smart Agriculture
RDRS emergency response programme employs a community-based approach to assist communities, local governments and civil society to plan and prepare resources and infrastructure at community level to save people from natural disasters and work for resilience building to combat climate-induced disasters. RDRS also continues humanitarian services for the Rohingya community living in the camps in Cox’s Bazar.
Disaster risk reduction is a priority within the organisation with a strong basis for implementation and mainstreaming. RDRS emphasizes inclusiveness with a focus on women, children, elderly, and vulnerable groups and in the refugee settlement areas, delivers protection and psychosocial support services for refugees, and enables better social cohesion between host and refugee communities.
Emergency and Humanitarian Response
Transboundary Flood Resilience Project in South Asia
Since February 2023 RDRS Bangladesh is implementing...
Humanitarian Response to Rohingya (FDMN)
RDRS Bangladesh, in partnership with Lutheran World Federation (LWF)...
Transboundary Flood Resilience Project in South Asia
Since February 2023 RDRS Bangladesh is implementing a 3-years “Transboundary Flood Resilience Project in South Asia” under its core development program with long term support from Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) with a goal to Increase the resilience of communities through multi stakeholder actions in Brahmaputra and GGP river tributaries in Nepal, India and Bangladesh. Priority areas of the project are strengthening early warning system, disaster resilience and climate justice. The project is implementing in 3 countries- Bangladesh, Nepal and India. In Bangladesh the project in Bangladesh is implementing at Kurigram Sadar, Chilmari, Ulipur and Nageshwari and Rowmari upazilas (sub-districts) of Kurigram district. The second year of the project is set to conclude in January 2025.
The project aims to reach the communities at upstream, midstream, and downstream of the Brahmaputra basin in Bangladesh. Till the reporting period the project reached 28,560 direct program participants of which 51% represented by female and 49% male. Among them 13% are children, 50% youth, and 37% adults in context of age distribution. The project focused on developing the social and economic resilience of the marginalized population which is a leading factor to enhance disaster risk reduction while working with DDM, Disaster Management Committees, BWDB, FFWC, BMD and other members.
Disaster Risk Financing
Start Fund Bangladesh (SFB) is a civil society managed rapid emergency response pooled funding mechanism which was created in 2017. Following Start Network’s Start Fund, SFB releases funding within 72 hours of a crisis alert, and fills a crucial gap in humanitarian funding. RDRS Bangladesh became the member SFB in 2021 started the implementation since 2022.
During the reporting period, the project for 2023 (May 2023 to July 2023) ended on 31 July 2023 and the project for 2024 was for February 2024 only and the project is implemented in Kurigram district. A total of 21,795 vulnerable households covered during the periods.
Humanitarian Response to Rohingya (FDMN)
RDRS Bangladesh, in partnership with Lutheran World Federation (LWF), Geneva has been implementing an emergency response programme titled “LWF-RDRS Emergency Programme (LREP)” in Rohingya camps and nearby host communities in Cox’s Bazar district since 2019. The LREP contributes to international efforts to meet the humanitarian and protection needs and increase self-reliance and resilience of the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMNs) and host communities through Income Generating Activities (IGAs), tree plantation, life-skills with livelihoods and leadership development training. LREP also works on capacity building of youth and creates market linkage to improve their living standard. This programme also aims at cultivating social cohesion, ensuring social inclusion, promoting reforestation and providing humanitarian support (i.e., foods and non-food items, WaSH, health, protection, etc.) to the FDMNs as well as the nearby host communities. During 2021-2022, around 56,295 programme participants have been benefitted through this project.
The key achievements of the projects:
Self-reliance
RDRS reached to 1,017 FDMNs from three camps (12, 18, & 2 East) under "Distribution of Livelihood Support" intervention with life-skills and leadership development training. Among them, 92 were Persons with Disabilities, 504 youths (18-35 ages), and 421 women.
Resilience
A number of 35 community consultations were held with different stakeholders in 4 upazilas of Cox’s Bazar. Community committees were formed along with the inclusion of persons with disabilities, widows, and elderly people of different ages and occupations. The committee will play a proactive role in directly engaging the entire community to ensure the sustainability of the tree plantation. A total of 68,410 locally adapted saplings (Host: 45,910, Camp: 22,500) were planted based on geographic suitability in deforested parts of the camps. In the host community, a tri-party agreement was signed amongst RDRS, Community Committee, and the respective Union Parishad. RDRS also organised 5 public campaigns on conserving forests; safeguarding water sources and tree plantation at both camps and adjacent areas. The aim was to create awareness among the community people and ensure community involvement in conserving forests and safeguarding water sources.
Reform
Two Self-help Groups were formed through the engagement of persons with disabilities in livelihood income-generating activities, the expectation is to enhance self-esteem and provide PWDs with knowledge and relevant skills to engage them in economically profitable activities. All the members of the groups were trained in relevant income-generating skills as well as leadership.
RDRS has conducted 5 community consultations with persons with disabilities and their family members regarding their rights, dignity, involving in income-generating activities, and the role of their family members. RDRS also provided psychosocial support to the Self-help Group members and their families.
Complaint and Feedback Response Mechanism (CFRM) and Accountability
RDRS has installed 15 complaint boxes in the camps and host communities. The hotline number of the organisation was shared with people. Besides, hotline number and mail address are affixed to each complaint box and also shared with the camp officials and other implementing agencies.
Case Study
Char Peoples Celebrate New Hope
In the flood-prone riverine landscape of Nageshwari Upazila...
Char Peoples Celebrate New Hope
In the flood-prone riverine landscape of Nageshwari Upazila, the remote village of Dhonirampur remained isolated for years, with monsoon floods cutting off access to schools, clinics, and markets. With 21,800 residents affected, the lack of reliable roads put pregnant mothers, students, and farmers in danger every year. In response, RDRS Bangladesh, supported by the World Food Programme (WFP), constructed a 1,656-meter elevated earthen road costing 5,961,741 Taka under its Disaster Risk Reduction project. More than just a path, this road is a lifeline—ensuring safe passage, protecting 3,000 households and their livestock, preserving 650 acres of cropland, and maintaining vital access to healthcare.
Community ownership is reflected in local investments in drainage and tree planting, promoting long-term maintenance and erosion control. This road transforms Dhonirampur by strengthening resilience, enhancing safety, and fostering hope for a sustainable future.
Rainwater Renewal
For 30 families living on Shakahati char in the flood-prone Brahmaputra River, access to clean drinking water was a constant challenge. Frequent floods contaminated traditional tube wells, and iron-rich groundwater posed health risks. In 2025, RDRS Bangladesh introduced community-based Rainwater Harvesting (RWH). Large rooftop catchments connected to secure storage tanks now collect and filter monsoon rains, providing a reliable supply of safe, naturally purified water year-round. This system has dramatically reduced waterborne illnesses and ended water insecurity.
“We previously faced clean water problems; after the rainwater harvesting, we have not faced any water problem,” said one resident. For these families, RWH is more than infrastructure—it is a symbol of resilience and peace.
Empowering Change
Goltaz Begum of Jumma Para, Ukhiya, faced immense hardship with her family relying solely on her husband's daily wage. The burden of education costs for three children, medical expenses for her mother-in-law, and daily necessities weighed heavily on her. In 2025, through a livelihood improvement initiative supported by DECCB and implemented by RDRS Bangladesh, Goltaz was selected for tailoring training based on her vulnerability and eagerness to work. After completing one month of hands-on training and receiving a sewing machine with starter materials, she began offering tailoring services from home. Her income now covers school fees, nutritious food, and medical treatment, enhancing her family's financial stability.
Beyond economic benefits, Goltaz's confidence and household status have elevated, showcasing how targeted livelihood support empowers vulnerable women to lead dignified, self-reliant lives. Her journey has inspired others in the community, making her a role model for women’s empowerment and economic independence
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