The European Union is providing €200,000 in humanitarian funding to support people affected by severe monsoon rains in Cox's Bazar, Chattogram, Bandarban, Rangamati and Khagrachhari districts in Bangladesh, benefiting 125,000 Rohingya refugees and vulnerable host communities. The funding, announced by the EU Delegation to Bangladesh on 4 August 2026, will support the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society in providing emergency shelter materials, repairing water and sanitation facilities, distributing seeds and gardening supplies, and offering cash assistance to affected families. Women, girls and others facing heightened protection risks will receive dignity items, information and referral support, while cash-for-work will help restore landslide protection. Communities will also receive training to better prepare for future floods and landslides.
The funding is part of the EU's overall contribution to the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), under a €12 million humanitarian delegation agreement signed with the IFRC. Since 5 July, intense rainfall linked to a monsoon depression triggered flooding and landslides in Chattogram Division. As of 13 July, over 1.1 million people were affected, with thirty deaths and more than 38,000 displaced. The rains damaged shelters, water and sanitation facilities, access routes and other essential infrastructure in the Rohingya refugee camps and surrounding host communities, with over 4,300 shelters and hundreds of water and sanitation facilities reported damaged in the camps alone.
The EU's response comes as part of its broader humanitarian engagement in Bangladesh, where it has been a major donor to the Rohingya refugee response. The funding aims to address immediate needs while also building longer-term resilience among affected communities. The EU and its Member States are the world's leading donor of humanitarian aid, providing assistance to millions of victims of conflict and disasters each year through its Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations department.
The announcement underscores the EU's commitment to supporting vulnerable populations in Bangladesh, particularly the Rohingya refugees who have been living in crowded camps in Cox's Bazar since fleeing violence in Myanmar. The funding will help repair damaged shelters and restore essential services, while also providing cash assistance to help families meet their basic needs. The training component aims to empower communities to better prepare for future emergencies, reducing their vulnerability to natural disasters.
The EU's contribution to the DREF is part of a broader international effort to support the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement's rapid response to disasters. The DREF, established in 1979, allows National Societies to request immediate financial support when a disaster strikes, with donors replenishing the fund. This mechanism enables a swift and coordinated response, ensuring that aid reaches those in need as quickly as possible.
For the affected communities, the funding will have a direct impact on their ability to recover from the monsoon rains. The provision of shelter materials and repairs to water and sanitation facilities will help restore basic living conditions, while cash assistance will enable families to purchase essential goods. The focus on women and girls, who often face heightened risks during disasters, ensures that protection concerns are addressed. The cash-for-work component will not only help restore landslide protection but also provide income for affected households, supporting their economic recovery.
The EU's response is a concrete example of its solidarity with people in need around the world, and its commitment to saving lives and alleviating human suffering. By supporting the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, the EU is helping to ensure that aid reaches the most vulnerable, including Rohingya refugees and host communities, in a timely and effective manner.