Exploring Implementation Gaps between Policy and Practice for Disaster Management in Bangladesh

Abstract

To initiate an improved and effective disaster management in Bangladesh, there have been many efforts to formulate a national plan and strategies matching with international charters and declarations. However, whether such policy has been adequately implemented into practice at the community level is a major concern. This study’s purpose is to explore implementation gaps between what is instructed at the policy level and what is actually practiced. The authors have reviewed relevant literatures, conducted focus group discussions with individuals in disaster risk and affected areas, interviewed professionals of INGOs of mainstreaming disaster management activities, prepared a GIS map of NGOs and INGOs implementation areas and conducted interviews with member secretaries and members of local disaster management committees. Results showed that knowledge and coordination gaps, functionality of the disaster management committee, monitoring systems, and invalid and unreliable data are the major drawbacks for further achievement in disaster management. In this context, the authors suggest the establishment of forums for sharing knowledge among organizations in disaster management, as well as an independent administering and monitoring body to oversee activities by various organizations to ensure robust disaster management in Bangladesh.