Where are the public shelters in Bangladesh?

Short answer. Bangladesh's public shelters are cyclone shelters and flood shelters, built against natural hazards; there are no air-raid or fallout shelters ¹². For Cyclone Remal in May 2024, the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief reported 807,023 people evacuated to 9,424 evacuation shelters across 19 districts ³. Go as soon as the great danger signal (3 flags) is received ¹.

What counts as a shelter in Bangladesh?

The Standing Orders on Disaster tell local authorities to evacuate people and domestic animals to "safe cyclone shelters, Mujib Killas, schools, community centres, different government buildings, and other higher grounds" ². A Mujib Killa is a raised earthen mound, built above flood level to protect resources, especially livestock, from cyclones, storm surges and floods ². Flood shelters serve the same purpose inland ².

How many shelters are there?

Phaenyx found no official national inventory of cyclone shelters. The most recent official figure is operational: for Cyclone Remal, the ministry counted 9,424 evacuation shelters opened across 19 districts, sheltering 807,023 people, as reported in the UN situation report of 27 May 2024 ³. It counts the shelters opened for one cyclone; it is not an inventory of purpose-built cyclone shelters.

How do I find my shelter?

Ask before the season. In the 13 coastal districts, Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP) volunteers spread the signals and help people reach shelters, giving priority to pregnant mothers, children, people with disabilities and the sick ⁴⁵. Under the Standing Orders, the District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer and the Upazila Project Implementation Officer keep the list of cyclone and flood shelters, Mujib Killas, high ground and temporary shelter places ². The Disaster Alert for BD app, linked from the DDM website, lists nearby shelters, volunteers, hospitals and relief centres ⁶.

When should I go?

The DDM household guide says to go to the shelter with your family as soon as the great danger signal (3 flags) is received, and to stay there until the authorities say otherwise ¹. Take dry food, safe drinking water, medicines, a torch, a radio and matches ¹. Move livestock and poultry to a Mujib Killa or another safe place, or release them ¹. See the Bangladesh alerts page and Shelter or evacuate?.

Are there shelters against war or radiation?

No. Phaenyx found no public air-raid or fallout shelter programme in Bangladesh. For an outdoor chemical or radiological release, see Shelter in place against chemicals and the Bangladesh iodine page.

Frequently asked questions

Are schools used as cyclone shelters in Bangladesh?

Yes. The Standing Orders list schools, community centres and government buildings among the evacuation places, with cyclone shelters and Mujib Killas ².

What is a Mujib Killa?

A raised earthen mound built above flood level, mainly to protect livestock from cyclones, storm surges and floods ².

How many people used shelters during Cyclone Remal?

807,023 people in 9,424 evacuation shelters across 19 districts, according to the ministry as cited by the UN ³.

Preparedness index: Bangladesh ranks 54th of 67, 44.5/100 · full ranking