Project Overview
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Following severe flooding in south-eastern Bangladesh, communities across Cox’s Bazar Sadar, Chakaria, Pekua and Satkaniya experienced significant disruption to healthcare access, transportation, water and sanitation systems, and continuity of essential medical treatment.
In response, Pulse Bangladesh Society, with support from MDM Japan, conducted a rapid health and medical needs assessment to identify priority health risks, service-access gaps and immediate response needs among flood-affected host communities.
The assessment generated location-specific evidence to guide emergency medical support and engagement with local administration and health authorities.
Project Information
Project Status: Ongoing
Implemented by: Pulse Bangladesh Society
Supported by: MDM Japan
Geographical Coverage: Cox’s Bazar Sadar, Chakaria, Pekua and Satkaniya
Target Population: Flood-Affected Host Communities
Community Assessment Period: 21–30 July 2026
Health Facility Assessment Period: 23–29 July 2026
Assessment at a Glance
117
Household Respondents
714
Household Members Represented
4
Assessment Areas
657
Patients Reached
Key Assessment Findings
Healthcare Access
Only 34.2% of respondents reported having a functioning health facility in or near their community, while 65.8% reported no functioning facility nearby. Among respondents without nearby services, flooded or inaccessible roads (88.3%) and lack of transport (83.1%) were the leading barriers.
Major Health Conditions
Fever (84.6%), cough (79.5%) and skin rash/infection (78.6%) were the most frequently reported health problems, followed by severe body aches (44.4%), difficulty breathing (36.8%) and diarrhoea (24.8%).
Non-Communicable Diseases
Among households reporting one or more chronic conditions, 91.8% reported that regular medicines were inaccessible during the flood, highlighting a major disruption in continuity of care.
Maternal Health
All 15 households reporting a pregnant woman indicated that antenatal care, delivery services or emergency obstetric care had been inaccessible during the emergency.
WASH and Psychosocial Risks
Around 32.5% of households considered their drinking water unsafe without treatment, while 47.9% had no functioning latrine. Stress, anxiety, sleep problems or emotional distress were reported by 93.2% of assessed households.
From Assessment to Action
Following the assessment, Pulse Bangladesh Society translated the identified needs into direct emergency health action. Mobile medical services and essential medicines were provided across all four assessment locations, reaching 657 patients in Cox’s Bazar Sadar, Chakaria, Pekua and Satkaniya.
657
Patients Reached
Across 4 Flood-Affected Locations
Patients Reached by Location
- Satkaniya — 203
- Cox’s Bazar Sadar (Shamiti Para) — 187
- Chakaria — 137
- Pekua — 130
334
Adult Females
50.8%
176
Adult Males
26.8%
147
Children
22.4%
Ongoing Response Priorities
- Continue targeted mobile and outreach medical services in communities facing persistent healthcare-access barriers.
- Strengthen continuity of care and access to essential medicines for people living with non-communicable diseases.
- Support maternal health referral, antenatal care, safe delivery and emergency obstetric access for pregnant women.
- Strengthen surveillance, early detection and timely treatment of fever, respiratory illness, diarrhoeal disease and skin conditions.
- Promote safe water, sanitation and hygiene practices to reduce flood-related public health risks.
- Integrate basic mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) and appropriate referral pathways.
- Strengthen health facilities through essential medicines, supplies, equipment, staffing and referral support.
- Continue coordination with government health authorities, local administration and relevant humanitarian stakeholders.