Up In the green hills of Khagrachhari, Juthi Bala recalls a time of uncertainty. It was August 2024, when unprecedented rains triggered a flash flood that swept away our crops, homes, and roads, before anyone could prepare. 

The flash flood, one of the worst in recent memory, disrupted the lives and livelihoods of thousands in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), a region heavily dependent on agriculture. “Here in the hills, we rely on farming not just for income but to feed our families,” Juthi adds. “And both were destroyed.”

Among those affected was 67-year-old Simon Talukder, who had just cultivated his Amon rice field. “At this age, I have no other way to survive. I lost everything,” he says.

With their food supply and income depleted, community members turned to a traditional yet effective solution: the Rice Bank—a community-driven food security system grounded in indigenous knowledge and mutual support.

The Rice Bank model is simple but effective. Each household donates a small amount of rice into a community-managed storage system. During times of crisis—like floods, droughts, or food shortages—members can borrow rice and return it when their situation improves. It’s a model built on trust, reciprocity, and resilience. Thanks to the Rice Bank’s flexible system, community members no longer had to rely on money-hungry hoarders.

This practice, which has existed in the remote villages of CHT for generations, was formally supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) nearly 15 years ago. Back then, around 1,700 rice banks were established across the region to enhance food security and strengthen local coping mechanisms.

Today, even after many years the system still thrives in some areas—proving its relevance in the face of growing climate challenges.

In Juthi’s village, with support from UNDP and in collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh, the Rice Bank came to the community’s rescue once again. “We borrowed about 300 kg of rice from the bank,” she says. “It saved us during the winter lean season. Now that we’ve recovered, we plan to repay it.”

The success of the Rice Bank is more than just food security—it represents a revival of indigenous wisdom, community solidarity, and crisis management in an era of climate uncertainty.

UNDP, in partnership with the Government of Bangladesh and others, is promoting inclusive and sustainable development in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. By strengthening local institutions and empowering communities, UNDP supports better agriculture, food security, climate resilience, women’s empowerment, youth employment, and inclusive education. It also enhances local governance to drive growth and sustainability in this diverse region.

The Rice Bank initiative is a shining example of how traditional knowledge, when recognized and supported, can offer sustainable, locally-owned solutions in times of crisis.