When social protection anticipates risk: Lessons from a shock responsive social protection simulation in Rajshahi city, Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS), in close collaboration with government social protection and disaster management actors, successfully implemented a shock responsive social protection (SRSP) simulation for anticipatory action by delivering cash transfers using social protection system components, in Rajshahi’s Ward 4, in August 2025.

This innovative initiative showcased the feasibility of using existing social protection systems to deliver anticipatory action, e.g. by delivering early warning information and anticipatory cash, to address impacts of potential shocks like heatwaves. The simulation focused on Old Age Allowance (OAA) recipients from the heatwave affected Rajshahi City Corporation area and explored how climate risk considerations are incorporated into social protection schemes like OAA, and whether recipients receive early warnings, both broadly and via these programmes.

Additional insights can be found in these reflections by a volunteer, a social service officer, a programme officer and a programme recipient.