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Disaster Risk Reduction in Sunamganj

Project Overview

Bangladesh's Sunamganj District is largely an undeveloped area that is highly susceptible to flooding. To improve the lives of the people in this area, it is essential to first reduce the risk of flooding and other natural hazards.

Risk reduction programmes along with access to education, healthcare facilities, employment and income opportunities, including fishing rights, will lead to sustainable development of the district.

This project is also known as Reducing Vulnerability of Local Communities from Natural Hazards through Local Disaster Risk Reduction Action Plans (LDRRAP)

Man standing by a black cow

Project Background

This project operates in two areas in the Sunamganj District in the northeastern corner of Bangladesh.

This area is highly vulnerable to flooding during the monsoon season, and the prevailing natural conditions throughout the year are extremely unfavorable for any form of development.
 
Most of Sunamganj is a large flood basin which is fills with water for six to seven months a year. Water levels can rise to 13 to 14 feet above ground level and are usually no less than six feet high.

No development in the district can be designed without addressing the number one problem of flooding.

Apart from the risk of flooding, social conservativeness, high social inequality, illiteracy and lack of education coupled with low income and poor nutrition are serious barriers to economic development.

Project Objectives

  • Reducing the vulnerability of communities to natural hazards by raising awareness of coping strategies;
  • Helping vulnerable communities prepare for natural hazards and respond effectively to floods;
  • Supporting and increasing the capacity of Union Disaster Management Committees (UDMC) and other local organisations;
  • Developing effective disaster reduction plans;

Project Activities

  • Providing training on risk assessment and First Aid to IR staff, partner aid agencies, Union Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation Committees and Youth Volunteer Committees;
  • Activities to raise public awareness, including publicity and public meetings;
  • Training project partners to undertake risk assessments and prepare local disaster risk reduction action plans;
  • Networking ;
  • Advocacy.

Beneficiaries

This project will serve 592,892 people over the project period, including local communities, local and central Government, officials and school teachers.