The Impact of a Cyclonic Disaster on Coastal Communities in Bangladesh: Possible Community-led Interventions Towards Sustainable Disaster Recovery

Abstract

Based on extensive doctoral fieldwork, this article explored the impacts of Cyclone Aila on a coastal community in Bangladesh and subsequently proposed some community-led interventions towards sustainable disaster recovery. There has been a very limited academic investigation on the subject, and the findings of this study may generate useful lessons and tips for both academics and practitioners especially in the field of disaster recovery. The study employed a mixed method research design, where quantitative data were collected through a face-to-face structured interview schedule from 230 Aila (disaster) affected coastal household heads who had been the recipients of two government and nongovernmental organizations’ disaster recovery programs. As part of the qualitative investigation, 10 key informants’ interviews were conducted targeting subject matter specialists. Besides, two focus group discussions were arranged with the local disaster management committee. The findings revealed the extent and magnitude of the disaster’s (Aila) impact on community life from a range of socioeconomic and infrastructural perspectives. It was also observed that the recovery process was slow owing to such reasons as the short duration of the project, lack of coordination among the recovery intervention, absence of national recovery planning and framework, weak interfacing among the government extension services at the local level, failure to adapt with livelihood transformation, absence of sustainable solution on the problem, e.g., safe drinking water, housing, and employment generation, and limited participation opportunity in the recovery program. Most of the cyclone-affected people failed to recover from their losses and damages even after the last 10 years. In this context, this study argues in favor of formulating a new or revamped sustainable disaster recovery policy and associated community-led programmatic interventions underpinned by such elements as local resource mobilization, community participation, community planning, community partnership, local leadership development, and community empowerment.