AXA XL Disaster Recovery Case Studies: Bangladesh Floods 2004

The 2004 floods in Bangladesh were a catastrophic event that affected over 36 million people, causing widespread displacement and significant damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and livelihoods, particularly among the poor and marginalized communities.

The floods unfolded in multiple phases, beginning with flash floods in April and culminating in devastating levels of inundation by July, which exacerbated existing socioeconomic challenges such as unemployment and food insecurity while also highlighting the country's vulnerability to natural disasters. In the aftermath, the report emphasizes the need for improved disaster management strategies, particularly in strengthening the insurance sector to facilitate quicker recovery and resilience against future disasters, as the central government currently bears a substantial burden of post-disaster costs.