Start Fund Bangladesh Allocates BDT 1.38 Crore to COAST Foundation for Coastal Flood Response

Presiding over the meeting, Kutubdia Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md. Mizanur Rahman praised the swift mobilization of humanitarian support

A rapid humanitarian response has been launched in Bangladesh's coastal belt as COAST Foundation, with funding support from Start Fund Bangladesh and the Start Network, officially inaugurated the PROTECT Project to assist communities devastated by recent flooding and unusually high tides in Kutubdia and Sandwip Upazila.

The inception meeting, held on Tuesday at the Kutubdia Upazila Parishad Conference Room, brought together representatives from the Upazila Administration, Union Parishads, civil society organizations, community leaders and humanitarian actors to outline the project's implementation strategy and ensure transparent, community-led delivery of emergency assistance.

Presiding over the meeting, Kutubdia Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md. Mizanur Rahman praised the swift mobilization of humanitarian support. "I am pleased to see that humanitarian partners have responded within just a few days of the disaster," he said. "This timely support will greatly benefit coastal families who have suffered from severe flooding, damaged homes and displacement. The assistance will help affected households meet their immediate needs while supporting their recovery."

The PROTECT Project will be implemented across 10 unions in Kutubdia Upazila of Cox's Bazar and Sandwip Upazila of Chattogram. It aims to provide life-saving emergency assistance while promoting early recovery and strengthening resilience among climate-vulnerable coastal communities.

Under the initiative, 900 vulnerable households will receive Multipurpose Cash Grants (MPCG) along with hygiene and dignity kits to address urgent humanitarian needs in two Upazila. Another 900 livestock-owning families will be provided with emergency cattle feed to protect their productive assets and help restore livelihoods.  The project will also facilitate community consultations and support locally identified early recovery activities based on community priorities.

During the meeting, it was informed that Start Fund Bangladesh has allocated more than BDT 13 crore funds for Cox’s Bazar, Chattogram and Bandarban districts. Out of this fund, COAST Foundation received BDT 1.38 crore (One Crore Thirty-Eight Lakh). COAST will work in two Upazila Kutubdia and Sandwip. COAST will spend BDT. 76 Lakh in Kutubdia Upazila and BDT. 62 Lakh in Sandwip Upazila to support emergency humanitarian interventions responding to floods. Participants welcomed the project's emphasis on transparent beneficiary selection, strong community engagement and close coordination with local government institutions.

COAST Foundation representatives reaffirmed the organization's commitment to delivering timely, accountable and community-centered humanitarian assistance in collaboration with government authorities, local communities and humanitarian partners. Among those attending the meeting were Iqbal Hasan, Upazila Project Implementation Officer (PIO), who stressed the importance of maintaining accurate beneficiary information, as well as chairmen and members of the Uttar Dhurung, Lemshikhali and Kaiyarbil Union Parishads. Representatives of various political parties, local community leaders and other stakeholders also expressed their support for the initiative and welcomed the rapid humanitarian response for flood-affected coastal residents.