In Bangladesh, 16 million people are facing severe levels of acute food insecurity, and 1.6 million children are acutely malnourished, according to a new national analysis released by the Government and development partners.

The Ministry of Food, together with UN agencies - the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), United Nations Children`s Fund (UNICEF), and the World Food Programme (WFP) - as well as non-governmental organizations Action Against Hunger and Save the Children, convened a multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder workshop on Wednesday to disseminate the findings of the latest analysis on acute food insecurity and acute malnutrition.

In 2024, 23.5 million people in Bangladesh faced high levels of food insecurity. Coordinated action between government ministries, humanitarian actors, and development partners has led to a significant improvement in 2025. However, officials emphasized that continued and strengthened efforts are needed to ensure lasting change.

The analysis was conducted in April 2025 using the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) methodology, which categorizes populations into five phases, from Minimal (Phase 1) to Catastrophe/Famine (Phase 5), based on evidence of food consumption gaps, malnutrition, and coping strategies.

According to the report, between May and December 2025, an estimated 16 million people across 36 districts and the Rohingya camps - 17 percent of the 96 million people analyzed - are projected to face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse (Emergency, IPC Phase 4) levels of food insecurity. Among them, 361,000 are expected to be in Emergency conditions, requiring urgent humanitarian assistance.

Cox`s Bazar remains the district with the highest incidence of food insecurity. About 30 percent of the population in Ukhia, Teknaf, and surrounding host communities are in Phase 3. Other high-risk districts include Sunamganj, Barguna, Bandarban, Noakhali, and Satkhira, where roughly 25 percent of people are classified in Phase 3. Among the Rohingya refugees in Cox`s Bazar and Bhasan Char, about 445,692 people - 40 percent of the analyzed population - are projected to face Crisis or Emergency conditions.

Key drivers of food insecurity include climatic shocks such as the widespread floods in 2024, economic shocks including persistent inflation and market volatility, and humanitarian funding shortfalls, compounded by increased needs among the Rohingya population.

The analysis also highlighted a severe nutrition crisis: 1.6 million children aged 6-59 months are suffering or expected to suffer from acute malnutrition in 2025, including nearly 144,000 cases of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and 1.4 million cases of Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM). Around 117,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women are expected to experience acute malnutrition. This is the first IPC Acute Malnutrition analysis conducted in Bangladesh, covering 18 disaster-prone districts across seven divisions and the Rohingya population.

Md Masudul Hasan, Secretary of the Ministry of Food, said, "The latest IPC analysis provides a sobering picture of food security and nutrition in Bangladesh. With 16 million people facing high levels of acute food insecurity and over 1.6 million children suffering from acute malnutrition, the urgency to act is clear."

He added, "Today`s workshop is a vital step in ensuring that these findings are translated into coordinated action. The Government of Bangladesh is committed to using this evidence to guide policy, strengthen response systems, and protect the most vulnerable, together with UN agencies and development partners."

The report recommends life-saving humanitarian assistance for populations in emergency conditions; shock-responsive social safety nets for vulnerable groups; emergency agricultural and livestock support; and livelihood restoration, especially in flood-affected areas.

Abu Tahir Muhammad Zaber, Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, said, "The findings are concerning, especially for rural and coastal communities whose livelihoods depend on agriculture and fisheries. We are committed to strengthening food systems, improving access to nutritious foods, and building resilience against climate shocks."

The IPC analysis relied on rigorous data and collaborative processes involving government agencies, UN partners, NGOs, and technical experts. The workshop aimed to raise awareness, build consensus, and support the integration of findings into national planning and response strategies.

Source: UNB