Agrilife24.com: Bangladesh faced four consecutive natural disasters in 2024 since cyclone Remal to eastern floods which severely impacted farmers and food security, particularly in the agriculture, fisheries, and livestock sectors.
Cyclone Remal, which struck Bangladesh on 26 May 2024, was one of the most devastating cyclones to hit Bangladesh in recent years, severely impacted the southern coastal districts of Bangladesh. The cyclone affected 4.6 million people across eight districts of Pirojpur, Khulna, Bagerhat, Satkhira, Patuakhali, Barguna, Barishal, and Bhola, causing widespread damage over 62,783 hectares of farmland with estimated crop losses of USD 90.7 million. Thousands of farmers lost crops, livestock, and access to markets, heightening food insecurity and economic vulnerability in the region.
Only two months later, in August 2024 an unprecedented flash flood hit Bangladesh's eastern districts of Feni, Noakhali, Cumilla, Khagrachhari, and Lakshmipur, further compounding the country’s struggle. The floods caused USD 478 million in damage to the agriculture, livestock, and fisheries sectors, impacting livelihoods, food security, and key infrastructure.
The combined losses from these disasters devastated over 191,000 hectares of standing crops, including critical rice production, and created substantial economic losses in the fisheries and livestock sectors. These impacts threatened food security for millions smallholder farmers and fishers.
In response, The Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations (FAO), with support from the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium, has mobilized resources to restore food security and livelihoods. FAO is providing agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertilizers and tools to 9,050 farming households which benefit around 45,200 individuals in Bhola, Noakhali, Feni, Cumilla and Khagrachhari districts to help them restarting crop and vegetable production.
With generous financial assistance from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA), FAO Bangladesh is assisting 10,800 livestock farming households (54,000 individuals) with nutrient enriched livestock feed in Khulna, Barguna and Patuakhali districts. Notably, FAO is collaborating and coordinating with the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) and Department of Livestock Services (DLS) and partnering with Sheba Manab Kallyan Kendra (SMKK) to ensure effective implementation. FAO extends its gratitude to all partners involved in this collaborative effort to alleviate the hardships faced by those affected by the cyclone and flash floods.
FAO remains dedicated to helping vulnerable farmers of Bangladesh to rebuild their livelihoods and strengthening resilience in the agriculture, fisheries, and livestock sectors to better withstand future shocks.
