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A UK-funded climate adaptation project in Bangladesh’s Sundarbans is set to close two years earlier than planned following major cuts to Britain’s foreign aid budget.
The project, run by UK-based development charity Practical Action, was launched in 2023 and was originally scheduled to continue until 2028.
It aims to help vulnerable coastal communities cope with climate change through clean energy, climate-resilient agriculture, clean water initiatives and early-warning systems for heavy rainfall and cyclones.
Practical Action was reportedly instructed in April to end the project by June, though the deadline was later extended to September.
The organisation had expected to receive £22 million by 2026 but received significantly less funding than anticipated.
The project was initially expected to benefit around 57,000 people, but the funding shortfall means only about 37,000 people are now expected to be reached before the programme ends.
The early closure comes as the UK cuts its overall foreign aid spending from 0.5% to 0.3% of gross national income.
Bilateral UK aid to Bangladesh is also projected to fall by more than half, from £66.7 million in 2025–26 to £31 million in 2026–27.
Climate resilience officials have warned that the abrupt funding reduction could disrupt ongoing activities and make it difficult to ensure a proper handover to local authorities.
Development experts have criticised the cuts, saying they could undermine support for communities already facing the impacts of climate change.