Disaster vulnerability and mitigation of humanitarian issues in coastal Bangladesh: Local evidence and knowledge gaps

Abstract

This study aims to assess the perceived disaster vulnerability, mitigation of humanitarian issues, and the existing knowledge gaps of humanitarian activities in the coastal areas of Bangladesh. Indicators based semi-structured questionnaire was developed to collect data through an extensive literature review followed by several workshops among the authors and relevant stakeholders, and data were analyzed quantitatively. Results indicate that the study area is still highly vulnerable to natural disasters and these vulnerability indices vary significantly (p value<0.05) in this area. The worst vulnerable sector was health sector (vulnerability index = 0.77) followed by shelter and settlement (vulnerability index = 0.75). Vulnerability index varies with some socioeconomic profile of the respondents. Furthermore, some advantageous mitigation measures such as water purification methods and rainwater harvesting techniques, floating agriculture, seed preservation techniques, increasing the plinth of the house, awareness campaign on health issues, etc. were identified. Knowledge gaps associated with humanitarian activities were also recognized that need to be addressed properly by the humanitarian actors and community people. The study delivers critical information on sector specific disaster vulnerability and factors affecting this vulnerability. Humanitarian actors can get useful information for implementing further disasters mitigation and adaptation measure. Further in-depth research considering more indicators and humanitarian sectors may be beneficial to confirm the knowledge gaps.