The World Bank has approved a $270 million financing package to aid Bangladesh in recovering from the August 2024 floods and to strengthen its resilience against future natural disasters. This funding will support the construction and rehabilitation of critical infrastructure, improve agricultural systems, and enhance livelihoods in affected areas.
The Bangladesh Sustainable Recovery, Emergency Preparedness and Response (B-STRONG) Project aims to build and reconstruct rural and flood protection infrastructure in Chattogram and Sylhet Divisions. It is expected to provide protection for 1.6 million people by promoting climate-resilient agriculture and offering livelihood support to vulnerable communities.
"Bangladesh is regarded as a leader in climate change adaptation and disaster preparedness," said Gayle Martin, World Bank Interim Country Director for Bangladesh. "Building resilience against natural disasters is both a development and an economic priority for Bangladesh. This project will strengthen the country’s disaster preparedness system and improve livelihoods."
The project focuses on addressing damages caused by floods by constructing multi-purpose flood shelters, repairing roads and bridges, rehabilitating embankments, re-excavating canals, and improving flood forecasting systems. Additionally, it aims to enhance community disaster preparedness through equipment provision, training, and drills.
Swarna Kazi, World Bank Senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist and Task Team Leader for the project stated that “the project addresses both recovery and reconstruction needs as well as long-term disaster resilience.” She emphasized that it offers integrated responses combining physical interventions with non-physical activities.
Economic inclusion programs are also part of the initiative, providing financial support, skill development training, temporary employment opportunities, benefiting over 380,000 people. Furthermore, at least 65,000 farm households will receive assistance to boost agricultural productivity through high-yielding crop technologies.
The multi-sectoral nature of this project ensures that sectors not adequately covered by existing recovery initiatives are supported. The World Bank has been a longstanding partner of Bangladesh since its independence, committing over $45 billion in grants and interest-free credits over the years.