M Faridur Rahaman
Dhaka, 10 December 2025:
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh and its development partners, has launched the country’s first nationwide estimate of internally displaced persons (IDPs) caused by natural hazards. The report reveals that nearly 5 million people are currently displaced due to floods, cyclones, river erosion, and other natural disasters.
The nationwide assessment, conducted between September and October 2025, surveyed over 29,000 key informants across all eight divisions and 64 districts of Bangladesh, making it the most comprehensive study of its kind in the country. The findings show that 63% of IDPs were displaced before April 2020, highlighting long-term unresolved displacement, while 25% were displaced in the past five years.
The report also identifies Chattogram as the division with the highest number of displaced persons, hosting 1.21 million IDPs, followed by Dhaka and Rajshahi. The majority of displaced individuals (85%) live in rural areas, with four districts—Chattogram, Sirajganj, Bhola, and Noakhali—accounting for a quarter of the displaced population.
Lance Bonneau, IOM’s Chief of Mission in Bangladesh, emphasized that understanding the scale of displacement is crucial for effective disaster management and long-term planning. The report is expected to support policy development on disaster preparedness, climate adaptation, and social protection, strengthening Bangladesh’s efforts to build a more resilient future.
Source: SS Reporter
