Abstract
The geographic location of Bangladesh at the confluence of the three mighty river systems of the world renders her one of the most vulnerable places to natural disasters. Human-induced climate change exacerbates the problem. This study shows that the Government of Bangladesh has already established a multi-layered institutional mechanism for disaster management, with formal recognition of the role of various stakeholders. Historically, NGOs and other informal support mechanisms in the country also have made significant contributions during and after disaster recovery. Despite the presence of some strengths, such as long experience in disaster response and recovery, the people’s resilience, and donor support, the current management strategies suffer from a host of policy and institutional weaknesses. Most prominent is the absence of a functioning partnership among the stakeholders within these formal set-ups. What is lacking is the development and embodiment of a culture of collective decision-making in planning, in resource sharing, and in implementing disaster management policies and programs in an integrated and transparent way. The paper suggests a partnership framework to implement prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery phases of disaster management.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
ADB (Asian Development Bank) and World Bank (2004) Bangladesh 2004 Post-Flood Recovery Programme: Damage and Needs Assessment, Dhaka
Bhatt MR (2005) Community-based disaster risk reduction. In: Etkin D (ed) Reducing risk through partnerships, Proceedings of the 1st CRHNet Symposium, June 2005
Chowdhury JR, Rahman R (2001) Bangladesh environment outlook, Dhaka
Cernea M (ed) (1991) Putting people first: sociological variables in rural development, 2nd edn. Oxford University Press for the World Bank
Daily Star (2004, 2005) Most widely circulated English Daily, 31 October 2004, 21 October, 2005 Dhaka
DMB (Disaster Management Bureau) (1992) Project Documents on Support to Disaster Management, Government of Bangladesh, Dhaka
CRED (2004) An International Disaster Database, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels (http://www.em-dat.net)
FFWC (Flood Forecasting and Warning Center) (2005) An Overview of Flood Forecasting and Warning Services in Bangladesh, A paper presented on 2nd April, Bangladesh Water Development Board, Dhaka
GOB (Government of Bangladesh) (2004) Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP), December, Ministry of Finance and Planning
Haque CE (2003). Perspectives of natural disasters in east and south Asia, and the Pacific Island states: socio-economic correlates and needs assessment. Nat Hazards 29:465–483
IPCC (2001a) Climate Change 2001: The Scientific Basis, Contribution of Working Group-I to the IPCC Third Assessment Report, Houghton et al. (eds), Cambridge University Press
IPCC (2001b) Climate Change 2001: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, Contribution to Working Group-II to the Third Assessment Report, McCarthy et al. (eds), Cambridge University Press
ISDR (2004) Living with Risk: A Global Review of Disaster Reduction Initiatives, Geneva
ISDR (2005) Early Warning Newsletter, Issue 2005/3, September
Khan MR (2003) Paper on Micro-insurance presented at the Workshop on Risk Assessment and Insurance, organized by the UNFCCC, 12–15 May, Bonn
Miletti D (1999) Disasters by design. Joseph Henry Press, Washington, DC
Mitlin D, Thompson J (1995) Participatory approaches in urban areas: strengthening civil society or reinforcing the status quo? Environ Urban 7(1), April
MDMR (Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief) and UNDP (2004) Documents on Comprehensive Disaster Management Project, Government of Bangladesh, Dhaka
MFDM (Ministry of Food and Disaster Management) (2005) Corporate Plan 2005–2009—Comprehensive Disaster Management: A Framework for Action, Government of Bangladesh, Dhaka
Munich Re (2003) Natural Catastrophes in 2002, Vol. 10, Munich Re
PMO (Prime Minister’s Office) (2004) Options for flood risks and damage reduction in Bangladesh: Recommendations, September, Government of Bangladesh, Dhaka
Pretty JN, Chambers R (1994) Towards a learning paradigm: new professionalism and institutions for agriculture. In: Scoones I, Thompson J (eds), Beyond farmer first: rural peoples knowledge, agricultural research and extension practice. Intermediate Tech Publications Ltd., London
Quarantelli EL (1990) Assessment of development potential and capacity based on vulnerability. In: Integrated approach to disaster management and regional development planning with peoples’ participation, UN Center for Regional Development
SDRC (Sustainable Development Resource Center) (2004) Information provided to the authors regarding donor supported projects on disaster management, Dhaka
Strategy CB (2003) Development Trends 2005–07: Bangladesh, September 2003
Thompson J (1995) Participatory approaches in government bureaucracies: facilitating the process of institutional change, World Dev 23(9)
TI (Transparency International) 2001–2005, Reports on the Corruption Perception Index (CPI), Berlin
UNDP (2005) International response to flooding in Bangladesh, Dhaka
World Bank (1994) A strategy for forest sector in sub-Saharan Africa, draft for discussion, Washington, DC, USA
World Bank (2004) World development indicators, Washington DC, USA
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Khan, M.R., Rahman, M.A. Partnership approach to disaster management in Bangladesh: a critical policy assessment. Nat Hazards 41, 359–378 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-006-9040-y
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-006-9040-y