Community based approach for reducing vulnerability to natural hazards (cyclone, storm surges) in coastal belt of Bangladesh

The coastal morphology of Bangladesh influences the impact of natural hazards on the area. Especially, in the southwestern area, natural hazards increase the vulnerability of the coastal dwellers and slow down the process of social and economic developments. There is a serious need for an effective disaster management plan to minimize the loss of lives and property. Unfortunately, the present cyclone warning signal is not only highly ineffective, but, sometimes also confusing. There is no comprehensive disaster management strategy. Some of the local NGOs in collaboration with government agencies undertake certain activities, but these too have been limited to mostly relief and rehabilitation. Cyclone preparedness plans are hardly found among these agencies. While it is not possible to prevent natural disasters, protective measures to reduce the vagaries of disasters can be evolved. Due to the unusual climatic behaviour in recent years, people in coastal areas face serious vulnerability, especially in the context of human settlements and consequently move out to the cities to combat the situation. These people need innovative strategies for survival. This paper assert, like many other newly devised coping strategies, that reducing vulnerabilities is important and suggest where innovation & adaptation is necessary to save communities from their vulnerability to climate change. (C) 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.