Inclusive Disaster Risk Management and Resilience of Urban Poor

Bangladesh is geographically susceptible to natural disasters such as floods, flash floods, cyclone, storm surge and river bank erosion. The marginal communities of the rural areas are highly vulnerable to these disasters due to their socio-economic condition. The rapid urbanization intensifies disaster vulnerabilities among the urban residents of the country. Poor people living in the urban slums are often victimized by Flooding, waterlogging, heavy contamination of surface water. The increased threat of airborne and waterborne diseases due to pollution and lack of adequate sanitation are amplifying the disaster risks. People living in the informal settlements of Dhaka are exposed to manmade disasters such as fire outbreaks from various sources. The fragile infrastructures are increasing the risk of earthquake at the slums of Dhaka. According to Maplecroft’s Climate Change Vulnerability Index (CCVI) 2013, Dhaka is the riskiest city of the world due to its population density and disaster vulnerability. Disaster Management issues have been incorporated into the national policies and practices and several disaster management committees are formed by the Government to ensure better preparedness, resilience and recovery.

Programme Objectives:

  • To reduce disaster risks of targeted population and improve risks management capacity of all type of people who are living in disaster prone area and different institutions at local levels.
  • To develop disaster resilience city through reduction of hazard and vulnerability of urban population.

Strategies:

  • Assessment of multi-hazards vulnerability (flood, river erosion, cyclone, tornedo- Human vulnerability (economically and socially and develop a data base
  • Post-Disaster Needs and Credible Damage assessment
  • Promotion of rehabilitation as a part of disaster recovery (physical, social, economic and psychological)
  • Victim support strategy (Establishing shelter home counseling support) etc
  • Action will be focus as equitable basis- Children, women, person with disability and elderly persons will be the centre point for planning of disaster risks management issues.
  • Introducing an effective response management coordination mechanism including a relief management logistic system to handle different levels of emergency response
  • Strong coordination between and within national and sub-national level disaster management committees.
  • Promote livelihood strategies and options for poor, vulnerable communities including women, widow incorporating disaster management and risk reduction practices

Major actions:

  • Enhancement of capability of vulnerable people in terms of disaster management and adaptability with the impact of climate change.
  • Identification of Hazard and vulnerability of Urban population
  • Developing Disaster Information Centre at Slum level
  • Formation and functioning of Disaster Management Committee (DMC) at different level including Urban area of Bangladesh.
  • Sensitization of Public Service providers on disaster management to provide support to victims
  • Establishment and management of Multi-Purpose Cyclone Shelters
  • Dissemination of warnings, data, and information on time
  • Strengthening of Community-Based Disaster Management for enhancing the capacity to withstand disastrous situation
  • Promote climate resilient agricultural (crop and non-crop) technologies
  • Capacity development of key personnel on risk reduction, preparedness, warning and forecasting system, climate change risk reduction and post-disaster activities at field level
  • Strengthening national capacity for response management with emphasis on preparedness and support to DMC at different levels