Development of Community-based Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Program for Volunteer Leaders of Villages in Disaster-prone Area of Bangladesh

Masako Saito,Sonali Das,Mariko Ohara,Mir Abdula,Yoshiko Tsukada

doi:10.15344/2394-4978/2017/240

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop a community-based disaster prevention and mitigation program for volunteer leaders of villages in disaster-prone areas of Bangladesh. The action research method was used in this study. The target area was 10 villages. A needs survey for disaster prevention and mitigation was conducted among 100 village volunteer leaders (10 leaders from each village). Based on survey results, disaster prevention and mitigation training programs were developed and training contributed to enhancing volunteer leaders’ knowledge and techniques. In order to implement disaster prevention and mitigation activities in the community, the cooperation of the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (the local counterpart in this study) was vital Follow-up programs were modified according to the needs of the target area. Collaborative community-based activities conducted together with municipalities and NPOs will have to be empowered to continue disaster prevention and mitigation activities in the area.

Highlights

Japanese researchers planned to apply a research method developed in Japan for disaster-prone areas in Bangladesh
This method was community-based triage for affected vulnerable people in a disaster, which will be taught to disaster volunteer leaders
Cooperators: Disaster volunteer leaders of 10 target villages covered by two MCH Centers in Khulna district in Bangladesh

Summary

Introduction

Japanese researchers planned to apply a research method developed in Japan for disaster-prone areas in Bangladesh. This method was community-based triage for affected vulnerable people in a disaster, which will be taught to disaster volunteer leaders. The ratio of children under the age of 5 is high at10.61). Bangladesh has the world’s fifth-highest disaster risks). Bangladesh has the world’s fifth-highest disaster risks2) Natural disasters such as flood, high tides, and tornadoes have occurred often. In 1970, a cyclone that struck the Bay of Bengal caused the world’s worst damage with 300,000 fatalities3), while in 1991, another cyclone claimed the lives of 138,000 people). Even during quiet periods, people have been suffering in their daily lives by retained sea water called “a creeping disaster”

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