Assessing vulnerability in ethnic Munda community: A study on a cyclone-prone area of Bangladesh

Abstract

Despite the much research on cyclone vulnerability in Bangladesh, few papers have addressed the assessment of cyclone vulnerability. Furthermore, there has been no study of the vulnerability of the Munda minority in the Southwestern part of Bangladesh. The Sundarbans, the Gorai River, the Rupsa-Pasur River, and the coastline region are visible in Bangladesh's Southwest. It is often referred to as the Ganges Tidal Plain and consists of a delta that is only partially active. Numerous creeks and canals run through it. This study assesses the vulnerability of the Munda community to cyclones using 28 social, economic, physical, institutional, and cultural indicators. After the cyclone Aila, the education level of 84 Munda households in Gabura and Munshiganj Unions of Shyamnagar Upazila, Satkhira District, increased. Many members of the Munda community live in poverty (less than US$100 monthly income). About 70% of them rely on agriculture and fishing as their primary source of income. They also have alternative sources of income, such as daily labor. However, they were physically vulnerable. Only 7% of Munda houses were semi-pucca (partially concrete houses). Additionally, 85% of Munda houses were built over a decade ago. Cyclones severely damaged approximately 89% of houses in the past. Many (88%) did not have access to proper sanitation. The physical vulnerability was also found to be significantly greater (P < 0.05) in Gabura Union (0.54 ± 0.09) than in Munshiganj Union (0.48 ± 0.13). However, they reported strong institutional support for disseminating cyclone warning messages, information on cyclone shelters, and evacuation procedures during cyclone emergencies. National and international disaster risk reduction strategies should encompass all people of all races, ethnicities, and nationalities.