Community-Based Flood Management Strategies: Lessons From Recent Flood In Bangladesh – OpEd

Each year, floods and riverbank erosion, particularly in northern Bangladesh, impact millions of people, leading to significant loss of lives and property. Since the birth of Bangladesh, it is suffering from different kinds of natural hazards in different time which costs heavily. According to World Bank data in rural areas of Bangladesh 44% of the population lives below the poverty line, and 5.27% of people own no land whatsoever. And historically we have seen that rural areas people are the worst sufferers of natural calamities in Bangladesh.

At times, the scale and intensity of floods can surpass the capacity of communities to manage independently. In such emergency scenarios, humanitarian aid becomes crucial. This aid, provided by external agencies, is necessary to save lives and ease suffering. Emergency relief typically comes from NGOs, international organizations, and government bodies. The primary needs of affected communities often include food, followed by clean drinking water, medical services, shelter, and clothing. During extensive or complex emergencies, immediate access to humanitarian aid can be limited. Establishing connections between different stakeholders including communities, local service providers, and external aid agencies before disasters strike can improve the speed and effectiveness of aid delivery, thereby minimizing suffering.

Disaster preparedness involves taking proactive steps to ready oneself for and lessen the impact of potentially disastrous events. These preparedness measures aim to minimize social disruption and damage to existing resources, while aiding affected communities in responding to and managing the aftermath of a disaster. While such activities can help reduce the risk to lives and property in the short term, they are most effective when integrated into a broader, long-term disaster risk reduction strategy.

Community-Based Disaster Preparedness (CBDP) acknowledges that people living in high-risk areas have developed their own coping strategies and methods for mitigating the effects of disasters using local knowledge. This expertise should be supported and enhanced rather than overlooked. Residents of vulnerable communities are often the first responders during disasters, actively participating in search and rescue operations and offering treatment and relief to their families, friends, and neighbors. CBDP aims to enhance these capabilities by providing training in preparedness, rescue techniques, and first aid.

Preparedness encompasses mitigation efforts aimed at reducing the destructive effects of floods. The recent flood in Feni and Noakhali areas was a devastating situation simply because of sudden and overnight flooding and thus lack of be preparedness to fight back against the losses of flood and having no experiences of tackling floods by theses community’s people. And thus, we have seen the sufferings of them which is beyond explanation.

For a sustainable disaster preparedness initiatives include raising house plinths above recorded flood levels, developing affordable cluster housing, and installing flood-resistant sanitation facilities and elevated hand pumps for clean drinking water. Floating seed beds and vegetable gardens are used to grow crops even during flooding. Strategies for livestock include producing and preserving fodder for use during floods. Seed banks are maintained as essential resources for recovery after floods. Additionally, households are advised to store valuables and food above potential flood levels and to use portable ovens.

Information, education, and communication (IEC) materials, including posters, leaflets, brochures, rickshaw tinplate’s, festoons, and billboards, have been created in Bengali. These materials provide essential life-saving information on how to prepare for and handle natural hazards. Alongside these resources, tools such as community risk and resource maps, seasonal calendars, contingency plans, and community-based disaster preparedness plans—developed through vulnerability and capacity assessments (VCA) with input from communities and stakeholders—have strengthened the knowledge and confidence of communities to effectively respond to disasters. Unfortunately, these initiatives become so visible only during the disaster period not before or after the disasters which ultimately increase the costs of lives and properties in the long run.

Different projects have supported the establishment of Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) in the targeted areas. By focusing on disaster preparedness, these CBOs have strengthened community cohesion and highlighted the importance of collective action during emergencies. Members of the CBOs have received training and essential equipment, such as rescue boats, life belts, and other aids. Megaphones have also been provided to facilitate the distribution of early warning messages. These capacity-building and awareness-raising efforts engage all community members, fostering a unified approach to long-term community well-being.

Chief advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus also took the initiative to raise funds with the support of NGO’s and urges all to come forward to addressing flood. The 'Students Against Discrimination' movement maintained its 'relief collection from the masses' initiative at Dhaka University's Teacher-Student Center (TSC) on Friday to aid those affected by floods in the eastern and southeastern districts of the country.

The charitable and Islamic organization As-Sunnah Foundation is distributing relief materials to about 75,000 families affected by floods in several districts, including Feni and Cumilla. This distribution is being carried out in three phases to help alleviate the victims' suffering. Additionally, the foundation intends to initiate rehabilitation efforts once the floodwaters have receded. Individuals from diverse backgrounds contributed relief items and cash based on their ability. Numerous students also volunteered their time to support the cause. Additionally, along with public universities this time private universities like East West University, Brac University, and other institutions are providing valuable assistance in various ways, which is highly commendable. East West University authorities also took the initiative to spend the faculties and staff’s one day salary to support 10 thousand flood affected families.

Nagad, a major mobile financial service provider in the country, has launched a specialized account in response to government directives. This account is designed to simplify contributions to the state relief fund for flood victims. Pathao, the country’s largest digital service platform, and its employees have donated Tk25 lakh to the Chief Advisor's Relief and Welfare Fund to assist those impacted by the severe floods in various districts of Bangladesh. In addition to this donation, Pathao has demonstrated its broader commitment to supporting flood-affected communities by having employees voluntarily contribute a day’s salary, which Pathao matched.

We are a long way from the beginning of the rehabilitation process. Many of us are repeatedly talking about rehabilitation but still the flood situation in many areas is such that there is no opportunity for rehabilitation. It is important to keep their supply of dry food going. The most alarming thing is that many of us are saying that rice and dal should be supplied to shelters from now on. But what we have come to realize after visiting several shelters in the last few days is that there is no opportunity of cooking so what can be done, we should buy some other spices along with rice dal and deliver the cooked food to them. Besides since the water level started getting down many people have started getting sick in various ways especially skin diseases, water and cold related diseases. In this case, their proper medical service is essential. Now it is important to increase health awareness among people. Special attention needed to provide on the vulnerable groups including women, children and the elderly population in the affected areas.

Above all, for sustainable flood management the government should focus on improving flood defenses, such as upgrading dams and building stronger barriers. Investing in advanced weather forecasting and ensuring clear communication of flood warnings are also crucial. Urban planning should include green spaces and avoid construction in flood-prone areas. Effective river management, including regular dredging and protecting riverbanks, is important.

Community preparedness and education are key, as well as supporting local efforts to develop flood prevention strategies. Research and innovation in flood management should be encouraged, and plans should be in place to address climate change impacts. Coordination among emergency response teams and clear recovery plans are essential. Additionally, protecting natural environments and reducing pollution can help mitigate flood risks. In closing remarks, it can be summed up as follows: communities, businesses, and the government all have civic responsibilities when it comes to dealing with natural disasters like floods. If everyone works together, we will undoubtedly be able to recover the property that has been lost to flooding and other disasters.

• About the authors: Dr. Rasel Hussain, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, East West University and Mahmodul Hasan Shesheir, Research Associate, Yale University, USA]