Mohammad Abu Sadeque PEng Director Cell Ph Disaster Management Bureau Ministry of Food and Disaster Management Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Second Session of the Global Platform: Possible National Inputs – Bangladesh Meeting of the ISDR Asia Partnership United Nations Conference Center, Bangkok, Thailand March 2009

CONCEPT: Empowering Community to understand and reduce disaster risks at local level  Communities have learnt invaluable lessons and have built adaptive capacity to survive and recover rapidly from recurrent disaster challenges.  In recognition of this community resilience, GoB, in partnership with NGOs, CSOs and development partners, adapts policies and strategies to build local capacity and community empowerment for DRR.  Bangladesh represents a rich and diverse set of indigenous knowledge and adaptive practices that may be leveraged internationally to deal with the future challenges of increased disaster risks particularly due to climate change.

Contextual Information Densely populated country under a dynamic geomorphologic settings of the world’s largest delta; Low economic and social development, inadequate infrastructure and limited institutional capacity; High risk country to recurring natural disasters; Climate change is likely to cause significant impact in the form of severe cyclone, floods, droughts, sea level rise and salinity affecting agriculture, livelihoods, water supply, etc. YET: People demonstrate remarkable resilience at the face of increased disaster risks; Increased institutional capacity & community resilience demonstrate as; – Category 4 cyclone in 1970 – casualty: 300,000+ – Category 4 cyclone in 1991 – casualty: 138,000 – Category 4 cyclone in 2007 – casualty: 3,400

Contextual Information CRA, LDAP done in most of the vulnerable areas Training of local Govt. Institutions: UzDMCs, UDMCs All hazard & all sector approach comprehensive national strategy Unique partnership among Govt., NGOs, humanitarian and development actors Substantial improvement in Early Warning generation and dissemination Ensured community participation in policies at all level Strategies and policies are in the light of HFA guideline

Marketplace  The Concept – “Community empowerment for local disaster risk reduction” Display of brochures, posters, banners and video presentations  Advocates and Practitioners – – Video documentary on community resilience with respect to Cyclone Sidr – Video documentary on community coping practices and adaptation – Stories from the communities: – Publication with pictorial case studies, lessons learnt, best practices on community resilience and strong institutional mechanism; – Display of various materials including ‘Database of Best Practices’  Good Practices – “Partners in Action” – CRA Guidelines, Local Disaster Risk Reduction Plans – Materials on livelihood adaptation to climate change (UNDP&FAO) – Launching of the “Bangladesh’ Progress Report on HFA Implementation ( )”

Proposed High-Level/Thematic/Side event participation As, Bangladesh is supposed to be represented by the Head of the Government – Prime Minister, it would be crucial to involve the delegation if there is a planned side/high-level event focussing on Coastal zone disaster risk management. Some of the achievements of Bangladesh in this regard are : Community awareness building Construction of cyclone shelter & raised platform Construction of embankment along coast Cyclone Preparedness Program ( volunteer) Improvement of early warning generation & dissemination Policy demonstration for disaster bulletin Afforestation along coast line

Administrative Arrangement Agency of Primary Responsibility:  Ministry of Food and Disaster Management, GoB  Disaster Management Bureau, GoB In Partnership with:  National:  Bangladesh Disaster Preparedness Centre (BDPC)  International:  UNISDR  UNDP  Swiss Development Corporation  Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre  DIPECHO

Thank you !! Disaster Management Bureau Ministry of Food and Disaster Management Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh