POBNEWS24, Dhaka Apr 15, 2026: Bangladesh is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world due to its geographical location, deltaic landforms, monsoon climate, cyclones, floods, river erosion, drought and landslides. Every year, these natural disasters affect the quality of life of millions of people, disrupt their livelihoods and damage their homes and infrastructure. In this context, a well-organized and capable disaster response system is very important to reduce humanitarian suffering and maintain national stability. The Bangladesh Army, inspired by the motto “We are in war, we are in peace, we are everywhere, we are on the side of the country”, has established itself as the country’s most reliable organization in disaster management and humanitarian assistance through its discipline, efficiency, logistical strength and nationwide presence. Their contribution from rescue operations to relief management, medical assistance, engineering work, social preparedness and long-term rehabilitation will be forever remembered by the countrymen.
Since independence, the Bangladesh Army has been called upon to deal with any natural disaster in the country. Starting from the devastating cyclone of 1970 to any natural disaster in recent decades, the Bangladesh Army has consistently been the most effective first responder. Over time and with the need of the hour, the role of the Bangladesh Army has increased manifold. Their role is gradually expanding through the formation of special units to deal with disasters, modernization of equipment and integration with the government disaster management policy. The participation of the Army in the disaster management framework of Bangladesh is legally and institutionally recognized. Under the Standing Orders on Disasters, the Bangladesh Army assists the local civil administration in any emergency situation in the country. This framework allows the Army to act immediately upon request, which enables rapid deployment and coordinated effective action. Their long-term experience has made them a central pillar of the disaster management system of Bangladesh. The details of some of the most recent natural disasters and the contribution of the Bangladesh Army in dealing with them have helped them to be considered as a central pillar.
The 2024 Bangladesh floods were one of the worst disasters in recent times, mainly affecting the eastern and northeastern regions of the country. The floods were triggered by heavy rainfall in the third week of August 2024 and upstream water flow from India. The floods affected several districts, especially Feni, Comilla, Noakhali, Chittagong, Sunamganj and Habiganj districts. The floods claimed more than 70 lives. 5.8 million people, their homes, agriculture and infrastructure were affected. In May of the same year, Cyclone Remal was a devastating cyclone that hit southern Bangladesh. About 3.7 million people were affected. There was widespread power outage and thousands of homes were damaged.
The districts most affected by landslides in Bangladesh include Rangamati, Bandarban, Khagrachari and Chittagong. The 2017 Rangamati-Bandarban landslide is considered the worst of the recent landslides, with over 150 deaths. Thousands of houses were damaged and roads were cut off. Most recently, on 24–25 July 2025, heavy rains caused three separate landslides in the early hours of the morning in Nandaram and its surrounding areas on the Baghaichhari-Sajek road. The landslides blocked the road and stopped vehicular movement. As a result, more than 500 tourists were stranded for up to 9–10 hours. In these natural disasters, the Bangladesh Army works with its specialized teams, expertise, and coordination with the civil administration. Army personnel conduct large-scale rescue operations in flood-hit districts. Boats, speedboats and helicopters are used to rescue and shift thousands of stranded civilians to safer places. In this rescue operation, about 9,500 flood victims were rescued within 24 hours using boats and helicopters.
One of the most important contributions of the Bangladesh Army to this disaster and its overall response is its ability to respond quickly and effectively to any disaster. During cyclones, floods, landslides, building collapses and other emergencies, the Army is the first organization to reach the affected people. The capabilities described below are among the capabilities for taking quick/essential effective action:
Specialized Disaster Response Teams: The Army has formed dedicated disaster response and rescue units, which have advanced training in search and rescue techniques, collapsed structure rescue, firefighting management and emergency evacuation, high-risk area navigation. These teams are capable of operating in both rural and urban environments. They often work together with the Fire Service and Civil Defense, Coast Guard and local administration.
Mobility in air, water and land; The Army’s ability to deploy helicopters, boats, speedboats and heavy transport makes them highly effective in reaching remote and inaccessible areas. During large-scale floods and cyclones, military helicopters provide food and medical assistance to flood-affected people. Watercraft rescue stranded families.
Pre-disaster evacuation; Before a disaster strikes, the Army, in collaboration with local civil administrations, helps evacuate vulnerable populations. During cyclones, Army personnel work to evacuate thousands of residents from vulnerable areas of coastal districts to safe cyclone shelters. The combination of mobility, manpower and training helps the Army save lives in the crucial post-disaster period.
Relief Distribution and Humanitarian Assistance. Bangladesh Army is closely involved in relief operations after the initial rescue. Their logistical strength ensures that relief materials reach the affected people quickly and efficiently. For this, they undertake the following activities:
Establishment of relief camps; The army helps in setting up and managing temporary camps for the displaced population. These camps provide shelter, clean water, sanitation facilities, food supply, security. They ensure their management, discipline and fair distribution of resources in chaotic situations.
Distribution of essential commodities: The army distributes essential commodities such as food (rice, pulses, dry food), clean water, clothing, medicines, hygiene kits, baby food. Their transparent and well-organized distribution system reduces mismanagement and corruption. They ensure that aid reaches those who need it most first.
Communication and coordination assistance: Communication systems are also disrupted during disasters. Mobile networks are disrupted. In case of civilian network failure, the army provides communication support through its dedicated manpower (Signals Corps). They ensure that coordination between ministries, NGOs and local administrations continues without any disruption.
Medical and Healthcare. The medical contribution of the Bangladesh Army in disaster management is one of the most effective roles. The Army Medical Corps provides emergency healthcare in these challenging situations. For this, they set up temporary field hospitals and mobile medical camps that are capable of treating a large number of patients. These hospitals provide trauma care, emergency surgery, medicine distribution, maternal and child healthcare, infection control services.
Preventive Healthcare: After floods and cyclones, the risk of water-borne and vector-borne diseases increases. For this, they conduct vaccination campaigns, water purification campaigns, disinfection of contaminated areas, treatment of diarrheal diseases, mosquito control activities.
Pandemic Response; During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bangladesh Army has played a historic role. Their disciplined approach in managing quarantine centers, operating COVID isolation units, ensuring compliance with health guidelines, running dedicated COVID hospitals, providing laboratory and testing support has greatly assisted the national health system during the global crisis.
Engineering and Infrastructure Rehabilitation; The Engineering Corps of the Bangladesh Army plays a vital role in post-disaster recovery and reconstruction. Natural disasters often cause damage to key infrastructure. Rapid restoration of this infrastructure is essential to bring the affected population back to normal life. Major engineering contributions include debris removal and road rehabilitation. Immediately after a disaster, engineering units clear roads blocked by trees or landslides, collapsed buildings, damaged communication lines. Re-establish access routes for relief vehicles and civilian transport. Temporary construction of bailey bunds, cyclone shelters, flood-resistant structures and protective embankments. These temporary solutions support the affected population until permanent reconstruction/reconstruction begins.
Water Management and Flood Control: Engineering units contribute to repairing broken dams, constructing flood control dams, restoring riverbank protection structures, and draining stagnant/locked floodwater. These tasks prevent major damage during prolonged floods. Their technical expertise significantly reduces national recovery time and economic losses.
Preparing, training, and creating public awareness about any disaster is very important. As a result, disaster damage can be reduced to a large extent. The Bangladesh Army also actively contributes to this activity in the following ways:
Training and Exercises. The Army conducts nationwide disaster drills, cyclone preparedness, effective earthquake response, fire safety, first aid, and emergency evacuation activities. These activities strengthen coordination between government agencies, NGOs, and local volunteers.
Community Awareness Programs: Members of the Bangladesh Army participate in awareness campaigns in coastal and vulnerable areas. It teaches residents how to respond to early warnings, use cyclone shelters, stockpile emergency supplies, ensure safe drinking water, and protect livestock and assets.
Capacity building activities of local institutions; The army plays a key role in building their capacity by working together with local disaster management committees, Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP), educational institutions and youth volunteer groups.
International Humanitarian Assistance and UN Missions; The Bangladesh Army is widely respected in the outside world for its humanitarian activities through UN peacekeeping operations beyond the country’s borders. The army’s contributions in the international arena include: disaster relief distribution activities in conflict zones, refugee protection, construction of medical camps, rehabilitation of displaced communities, mine clearance and infrastructure repair. Bangladesh
is one of the world’s largest contributors to UN peacekeeping and the Bangladesh Army has been praised worldwide for its compassion and professionalism.
The key factors that make the role of the Bangladesh Army essential are their discipline and professionalism, nationwide presence, rapid mobilization capability, modern equipment and communication systems, ability to operate in extremely critical situations, strong coordination with government ministries, and strong public trust and acceptance. Their combined humanitarian and logistical capabilities have made them the pillar of Bangladesh’s disaster response management.
The Bangladesh Army plays a vital and multifaceted role in disaster management and humanitarian assistance in Bangladesh. From rapid rescue operations to relief distribution, medical assistance, engineering works and community preparedness, the Army ensures that the country can effectively deal with and recover from frequent natural disasters. Their contribution during national crises, including the Rohingya influx and the COVID-19 pandemic, has further highlighted their importance as not only a military force but also a humanitarian organization. In a country at risk due to various climate factors, the Bangladesh Army stands as a pillar of security, stability and hope in public life. Their tireless service strengthens national resilience and ensures that Bangladesh is ready to face any future challenges.
About the Author:BIOGRAPHY
Colonel Muhammed Nasir Uddin, psc, was commissioned on 11 Jun 1998 with 38 BMA Long Course in the Corps of Ordnance. He has served in all the regimental appointments of Ordnance units. He has commanded Independent Ammunition Platoon and Division Ordnance Company. He also served as Assistant Director of Ordnance Service in a Formation and AHQ Ordnance Directorate. He is a graduate from Defence Services Command & Staff College, Mirpur. He has participated in United Nations peacekeeping mission as ATO in UNMIS, Sudan, Logistic Officer in UNMIL, Liberia and SATO in FHQ, UNMISS, South Sudan. Presently he is serving as Deputy Director Purchase at Directorate General Defence Purchase (DGDP).
nasiruddin5705@yahoo.com
