Disaster Risk Reduction

Training Module
Disaster Risk Reduction

Predictation &
Warning
Preparedness
Prevention &
Mitigation
Recovery
Relief
Response
Disaster Strike
Training Module on Disaster Risk Reduction
for
Union Disaster Management Committee

International Federation of
Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Secours Islamique
www.islamic-relief.com
This material is available on the DIPECHO Bangladesh website (www.dipecho-bd.org). The
use and sharing of the information contained in this material is encouraged with due
acknowledgement of DIPECHO Bangladesh, with acknowledgement of ECHO funding
source of the material, with required disclaimer in case of re-printing and with prior consent
of ActionAid Bangladesh in case of re-printing.
Advisor
Shakeb Nabi
Written by
Rezaul Karim
Syed Mosaddek Hossain
Syed Kamrul Hasan
Assistance
Labonya Das Nirjan, Md. Imran Uddin, Obaidul Islam Munna, Tanni Tarique and
Akhlaqur Rahman
Published in
September 2010
Published by
ActionAid Bangladesh,
House No 8, Road No. 136
Gulshan 1, Dhaka 1212
Phone 9894216, 9894331, 9888006
Email: mail@actionaid-bd.org
In coordination with
The DIPECHO partners in Bangladesh
Graphics & Print
Aalpoth Media
Email: aalpoth_media@yahoo.com
Funded by
European Commission Directorate General for Humanitarian Aid (DG ECHO)
Disclaimer: This publication has been produced with financial aid of the European Commission. The views
expressed herein should not be taken, in any way, to reflect the official opinion of the European Commission
International Federation of
Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Secours Islamique
www.islamic-relief.com
Preface
It is with great pleasure that I present this Disaster Risk Reduction Training Module for
Union Disaster Management Committees (UDMC). There is, I believe, no doubt
regarding the importance of such a module especially in the context of a disaster prone
country like Bangladesh, more specifically at the Union level. When a disaster hits a
community it might take time for the community to recover if they wait for help from
the central government. The Union Council has an important role to play during this
crucial period. Again there is need to work with the community before any disaster so
that the community is prepared and the impact, thus, would be reduced. The Standing
Order on Disasters identifies the roles and responsibilities of a Union Council and a
Union Disaster Management Committee. Sad but true that the unions are often inactive
or are completely unaware about their disaster risk reduction role.
There is a small attempt to fill this gap the DIPECHO team of ActionAid Bangladesh
developed forth this module on Disaster Risk Reduction specially targeted for the
members of a Union Disaster Management Committee. The aim is to develop capability
of the members of UDMC and extend the concepts of risk reduction in disaster through
two day long training. This training would help the participants to identify their local
disasters and the extent of their vulnerability. It enables then to identify their own
coping mechanism as well as the relationship between poverty and disaster and
develop a concept on preparedness and emergency response. The training would raise
awareness and understanding on Standing Order on Disaster Management, early
warning and damage and need assessment.
I would like to congratulate and express my appreciation to Directorate General for
Humanitarian Aid, DG-ECHO for providing the financial support in bringing out this
module. I am further grateful to all those who have put their invaluable inputs in
making the module successful. I also want to take the opportunity to thank the
DIPECHO team of ActionAid Bangladesh.
Farah Kabir
Country Director
ActionAid Bangladesh
Executive Summary
Through this training material the participants are expected to achieve a Conception of
disaster/particularly local disaster, causes and outcome. They will learn about
relationship of poverty with disaster cycle and disaster management. They will also
know about conception related to disaster risk reduction, strategy of Coping
mechanism of community, concept on preparedness and emergency response at
family, social and institutional level, conceptual clarity on emergency response, rescue,
relief, rehabilitation and recovery, damage and need assessment. The participants will
also gain an enhanced knowledge on Standing Orders on Disaster management.
The first session helps to break ice among the participants to relieve them of any
physical or mental tension they might have been experiencing during the training.
Such sessions are the key for the participants to get to know each other.
The next session will discuss disaster issues focusing more on local disasters, their types,
causes and the consequences. From this discussion the participants who are working
on disaster risk reduction issues will get a primary insight into the matter and will be
able to apply the knowledge gained in their respective fields.
Subsequently, the participants are introduced to concepts that establish links between
poverty and disasters. Initially the participants are expected learn to distinguish
between the symptoms and causes of poverty. The session then shifts its focus on lack
of good governance as the main element responsible for deprivation of human rights
of the marginal poor. Subsequently, the participants will be educated regarding the
process by which lack of human rights lead to poverty, which is the root cause of all
vulnerabilities to disasters.
The later session will deal with issues like disaster risk reduction, coping mechanism of
community, the resilience capacity of community and a detailed discussion on disaster
risk reduction at family, community and institutional level. Form this discussion the
participants will get an idea on disaster preparedness and capacity of the community
and later on they will apply this knowledge when necessary.
An elaborate discussion will be conducted, in the next session, on organizational
preparation and response in disaster. Finally the training concludes with a session on
preparing an assessment on damages and casualties in the immediate aftermath of a
certain disaster. Such studies are the basis for anticipating the amount of resources
(human and material) needed to provide adequate amount of relief and rehabilitation
support
55
Time Table for Training
Day 1
Time Duration Session
09:30-10:00 30 minutes Registration
10:00-10:15 15 minutes Introductory Session
10:15-10:45 30 minutes Introduction and ice-breaking, assessment of
expectations and setting guidelines, description
of course objectives
10.45-11:00 15 minutes Tea Break
11:00-01:00 2 hour Conceptual clarity on disasters, disaster types,
causes and consequences of disaster
01:00-02:00 1 hour Lunch Break
02:00-03:00 1 hour Root cause analysis of disaster
Relationship between diaster and poverty
03.00-03.30 30 minutes The Days review
Day 2
Time Duration Session
10:00-10:30 30 minutes Review on previous day
10.30- 12.00 1 hour 30 Introduction to Disaster Risk Reduction, Coping
minutes mechanism of communities, Disaster Risk Reduction
at family, community and institutional levels
12.00-12.15 15 minutes Tea Break
12.15- 01.00 45 minutes Institutional Framework on disaster preparedness and
management in Bangladesh,
Standing Orders on Disaster Management,
Role of Union Council in disaster management
01.00-01.30 30 minutes Lunch Break
02.00-03.30 1 hour Assessment of Damage and Need
03.30-04.00 30 minutes Evaluation and Closing ceremony
77
Course Outline
Course Tittle : Disaster Risk Reduction
Duration : Two Days
Participants : Members of Union Disaster Management Committee
Aim : Developing capability of the members of Union Disaster Management
Committees on Disaster Risk Reduction and extending
conception of Risk Reduction in Disaster.
Objectives : The participants are expected to grasp concept of disasters,
particularly local disasters, their causes and outcome. They will learn
about relationship of poverty with disaster cycle and disaster
management. They will also know about concepts related to disaster
risk reduction, strategies of coping mechanism of communities,
concept on preparedness and emergency response at family social
and institutional level, conceptual clarity on emergency response,
rescue, relief, rehabilitation and recovery, and damage and need
assessment. The participants will also gain an enhanced knowledge
on Standing Orders on Disaster Management.

Method : Brain storming, Lecture, Discussion in small groups and Plenary,
Open discussion, and Question and Answer, Case Study Analysis and
Role play.
Accessories : White board, Duster, Marker, Poster paper, Art liner, VIPP card, Flip
chart, Sketch pen, Note book, Ball pen, Name card, Board pin,
Masking tape.
Room setup : 20-25 participants, Arrangement of a room where participants can sit
inU shape, 2-3 seperate rooms for discussion in small groups.
66
Content
Session No. Title of the Session No. of page
Session 1 Introductory Session 10
Session 2 Concept on Disasters, Disaster Types, Causes and
Consequence 12
Session 3 Root cause analysis of disaster
Relationship between diaster and poverty 28
Session 4 Introduction to Disaster Risk Reduction 32
Session 5 Institutional Framework on Disaster Preparedness and
Management in Bangladesh 45
Session 6 Assessment of Damage and Need 52
Session 7 Evaluation and Closing Ceremony 59
88
Instruction for Facilitator

The facilitator will read out the complete module before starting the
training.
The facilitator will emphasize on discussion regarding types of
disasters, disaster prepararedness and management in the context of
Bangladesh, with special focus on local disasters.
The facilitator must have a clear idea about 'rights approach.'
The facilitator must have general geographic knowledge of
Bangladesh and South Asia
The facilitator will cite examples in order to make the training more
effective and attractive.
Entertaining programs consistent with the training may be adopted to
make it more interesting and creating a positive learning environment.
Lessons may be presented through Multimedia, poster paper/ where
appropriate.
The facilitator should emphasize the primary local disasters
depending on the part of Bangladesh where the training is being
conducted
When the training is applicable to trainees from the north, west and
middle part of the country, the facilitator must totally avoid the topic of
tornado
The topic of River Erosion may be avoided from discussion only when
trainees are from Chittagong, Cox's Bazaar and three hill districts
For trainees from the south-western part of the country, all disasters
must be discussed. In this case, the facilitator must be careful about
time management
The necessary lectures must be displayed using a transparency on an
overhead projector (including the maps)
Copies of all guide-notes must be provided to the trainees
9
Introductory Session
Session No. 1

Title of the Session: Introductory Session
Sub-titles: Inauguration of Training, Ice-Breaking, Introduction, Assessment of
Expectations and Discussion on Objectives of the Training
At the beginning of any training course some extra but related sessions need to be
conducted, such as inauguration session, ice breaking among the participants,
evaluation of expectation, setting ground rules for training, explaining the purpose of
the training, etc. All these help the participants to get to know each other; this creates a
friendly environment essential for conducting a successful training. The ice breaking
session rids participants off physical and mental tension, and allows them to focus on
the training session. Evaluation of expectations at the beginning of the training helps to
identify any gaps between the expected lessons and the lessons given.
Objectives of Sesson:
To create a training environment, assess the expectation of the participants and share
the aims and objectives of the training.
Outcome of Sesson: At the end of the session:
A cordial environment will be created in the room.
Expectations of the participants from the training will be learnt.
Aims and objectives of the training will be known to the participants.
Method: Lecture, Discussion, and Question and Answer, Game, Assessment
Accessories: Tennis ball, Poster paper, VIPP card, Masking tape, Art liner.
Time : 1 hour

Inauguration
Method: Lecture
Procedure: The training program will begin with an inauguration session. Union
Parishad Chairman will preside this session while the relevant officials from MMS will
conduct the session. One or two participants may be requested to explain their reasons
for being a part of this training. The Chair of the inauguration session will then end the
session with his speech.
Time: 20 minutes
10
Introduction and Ice Breaking
Method: Game
Procedure: The participants will stand in a circle. The facilitator will give one of the
participants a tennis ball and request to introduce himself (name, position, organization
and a little bit of experience sharing). After he is done he will then throw the ball to
another participant. One who would catch the ball would then introduce himself and
repeat the process. In this way every participant would introduce himself/herself.
Time: 10 minutes
Evaluation of expectation and setting guidelines
Method: Assessment
Procedure: The facilitator will provide two VIPP cards and an art liner to each
participant. In one of the cards participant will first note down the expectations from
the training and in the other he/she will write down some ground rules for the training.
These cards will then be collected and pinned up on the VIPP board.
The guidelines for writing on VIPP card are:
One expectation on each card
Large and clear handwriting
Three lines on each card.
Facilitator will cluster these cards. Sorted cards will be tagged on posters or written
down on a poster paper to exhibit on a suitable corner of the training room.
Time: 20 minutes
Discuss the objectives of the training.
Method: Presentation and discussion.
Procedure: The facilitator would present the objectives of the training with the help of a
poster paper. He would further clarify the objectives, if needed, a through question-
answer session.
Time: 10 minutes
11
12
Session No. 2
Title of the Session: Conceptual Clarity on Disasters
Sub-titles: Concept on Disaster, Disaster Types, Causes and Consequence, Relationship
between Poverty and Disaster
The session will discuss disaster issues focusing more on local disasters, their types,
causes and consequences. From this discussion the participants who are working on
disaster risk reduction issues will get a primary insight into the matter and will be able
to apply the knowledge gained in their respective fields.
Objectives of Lesson : To enhance the participants knowledge on concept of
leadership
Outcome of the lesson: At the end of the session participants:
are able to define and describe the concepts of different
disasters, especially the local leadership.
are able to explain their causes and consequences
are able to explain the relationship between poverty and
disasters;
Method: Lecture, Open Discussion, and Question and Answer.
Accessories: White board, Poster paper, Marker, Art liner
Time : 1 hour 45 minutes

Disaster / Local Disaster
Procedure: The facilitator will first try to find out from the participants what they
understand by disaster. The facilitator will write down all the responses on the board.
Then based on the responses from the participants and his own understanding he
would develop an acceptable definition of a disaster and read it aloud to the trainees.
Finally he will display the definition.
Time: 15 minutes
Disaster Types, Causes and Consequence
Procedure: The facilitator will ask the participants regarding types of disaster. Based on
their responses the facilitator will then categorize the disasters into two categories:
manmade and natural.
He will ask the participants which of these disasters are most common in their locality.
Then accordingly the facilitator will discuss elaborately on the local disasters.
The facilitator will explain the causes of local disasters with examples and display the
relevant maps. He will have to avoid discussing the in-depth causes of disasters. Rather
he will have to focus on the consequences of the disasters.
At first, he will discuss the consequences of disaster based on age-group of affected
population, physical ability and gender perspective. He will present relevant case
studies and try to develop a common understanding among the participants.
Remember that, if the participants do not agree on this part of the session, they will not
be able to identify genuinely affected people.
The facilitator can initiate an open discussion, where he will ask the participants to
present the points through the discussion. Then he will write down the responses on
the board categorically, i.e. Physical, mental, economic, social and environmental.
Time: 30 minutes
13
Relationship between Poverty and Disaster
Procedure: The facilitator will ask the participants what they think is the relationship
between poverty a nd disaster. This discussion will help to expand their thoughts on
this issue. The facilitator would also try to find out what the participants understood by
rights. He will write down the sum and substance of the discussion on the board and
will also exhibit the confined slides in the multimedia.
Now, the facilitator will want to know from the participants what they think are the
existing causes of poverty. He will write the causes on the board and will try to establish
with logic and reason that the apparent causes are not really the causes of poverty but
symptoms of it. He will then explain the real causes of poverty and will exhibit a chart
on this. Then he will ask the following questions:
1. Does everyone get equally affected by a disaster?
2. Does everyone have the same capacity to recover from the disaster losses?
3. Who are the most affected? Why? How?
4. Does everyone living in a particular area face the same hazard?
5. Is everyone listened to equally? Who are the neglected ones?
6. Is the power structure and system equally responsible for all?
7. Is everyone equally benefited by all the development activities? Why? How?
Answers will be written down on the board. The facilitator will then try to establish with
logic and reasoning that poverty is the root of all vulnerabilities, which again evolve
mainly from the deprivation of rights. As poor people live in the most vulnerable
conditions they are the most affected after any disaster. This can be further clarified by
discussing and analyzing the reference diagram.
Time: 60 minutes
14
Session Guide: Conceptual Clarity on Disaster
What is Disaster?
Conventionally, disaster is termed as an extreme event that affects both man and the
environment, bringing casualties to the lives and damaging livelihoods to the extent
that it becomes extremely difficult for a community to recover using its own resources;
in many cases it is simply impossible.
''a sudden event, such as an accident or natural catastrophe, that causes
great damage or loss of life. '' -ORIGIN late 16th cent.: from Italian disastro 'ill-starred
event'. New Oxford Dictionary of English, 1998
Types of Disaster

Natural Disaster Manmade Disaster
Flood War
Cyclone Communal riot
River erosion Environmental pollution
Tidal surge Political violence
Drought
Cold wave
Tornado
Earthquake
Nor'wester

Bangladesh and Natural Disaster
The main geophysical characteristics of Bangladesh are as follows:
Most of the landmass of Bangladesh, out of the total of 1, 43,993 sq. kilometer,
are floodplains made up of alluvial soils carried from the upstream rivers and
streams. This is a continuous process for Bangladesh due to its geographical
location.
About 80 % of the total land is riverine.
Around 17.5 lac sq. kilometers of river basin is continuously flushing upstream
rain water and ice melted water through Bangladesh into the Bay of Bengal.
Two of the largest rivers of the world and one of the widest rivers with
numerous tributaries run through this land and finally discharge their flow into
the Bay of Bengal.
The sources of the major rivers and about 93percent of the total basin lie
15
outside the country boundary.
Every year 17 crore tons of silt are carried by these rivers which accumulate to
form land masses or get deposited in the Bay of Bengal.
Analyzing the geographical location, it is obvious that Bangladesh is very
vulnerable to recurring natural disasters. for example:
1. The rain water and ice melted water of 17 lac 50 thousand sq. kilometer area
flow through the narrow river basins of Bangladesh. This vast catchment area is
entirely situated upstream outside the countrys boundary. Hence,
flood is a common phenomenon for Bangladesh.
2. Relatively new floodplain and the numerous river tributaries along the mighty
Padma, Meghna and Jamuna take a vicious shape in the monsoon overflowing
with water. This excess flow of water causes soil and river erosion along the
river banks.
3. The drought situation of Bangladesh mainly depends upon the monsoon wind.
The rainy season comes after a short summer immediately before the winter.
The rain is basically the influence of the monsoon wind that blows over the Bay
of Bengal. If for any reason the monsoon wind is delayed the country suffers
from a drought situation.
Map of Ganges and Brahmaputra Basin
Source: http://www.jrcb.gov.bd/image/basin_map.jpg
16
Sources of Hazard
1. Flood
Generally flood implies a phenomenon when the river and the sea is suddenly
overflowing with water and enters the land. According to Geologist Arther N Strawler
flood refers to the situation when the water flow rises above the capacity of the rivers
and the floodplain, and inundate adjacent land, forest and community.
Floods in Bangladesh could be classified in four types, namely:
1. Monsoon flood / Regular flood
2. Flash Flood.
3. Rain-induced flood.
4. Tidal surge.
Causes of flood
Excessive rainfall over the main river basins
Simultaneous rise of water level in the Padma and the Jamuna river
High tide due to excessive rainfall or water level rise
Decreased river depth in the main river channels
Sudden opening of dam/embankment at the upstream
Unplanned construction of embankments, roads and other
infrastructures
Sea level rise due to heavy monsoon rain

Source: http://www.banglapedia.org/httpdocs/Maps/MN_0131C.GIF

17
2. River Erosion
River erosion is a process of gradual or fast break down of land masses from the river
banks. This is a common natural disaster in Bangladesh. Around 80 percent of the total
land of Bangladesh is situated in the river basin. This means that 80 percent of the land
is formed from the sedimentation of alluvial soil carried through the rivers and this
process is a continuous one. Main rivers like the Padma, Jamuna and the Meghna along
with the Tista, Surma and Kusiara and all other medium rivers are still subjected to the
process of river erosion, and their courses are changing.
Causes of River erosion
Strong water current and whirlpools in river
meandering nature of the rivers
Sedimentation in the river basin
Unplanted river bank
River training and building embankments around the towns

http://www.livingwiththejamuna.com/photos/image003.jpg
18
3. Drought
Long period of dry weather during summer is referred to as drought. In the last 55
years, 20 small and large scale droughts occurred in Bangladesh. Extreme drought
events occurred in 1951, 1957, 1958,1961,1972,1979 and 1989. The drought in 1979 was
the last most extreme one. 46.54 percent land was suffering from severe drought
condition in the year. The 1989 drought was the longest one in last 50 years.
Drought is more common in north-west part of Bangladesh.
Causes of Drought
Absence of rain for a prolonged period
Delayed Monsoon wind
Deforestation and excessive withdrawal of ground water intensify the
drought situation.
Source: http://www.bwdb.gov.bd/kharif_drought.htm

19
4. Cyclone
Cyclone is the most destructive hazard that causes maximum casualties to lives and
livelihoods among all other natural hazards. The tropical cyclone is the most
catastrophic disaster among all other natural disasters. Cyclones take up different
names depending on their origin. For example, cyclones are termed as hurricane in
United States, typhoon in Japan and cyclone in Bangladesh. But not all cyclones are
hurricanes. The storm surge with wind speed of more than 120 km/hr is called a cyclone
or hurricane. Some hurricanes have a wind speed of even 250-320km/hr. In some
localities where cyclones and storm surges occur together, they are termed as Gorky.
Although tropical cyclones generated over different regions have different names their
form, origin and structure are similar. Cyclone created over the Bay of Bengal is relatively
less strong. However, it still brings immense losses to the lives and property of the
people of Bangladesh. This is due to our funnel shaped coastal plain, high tide, shallow
bottom near the shore, and low lying floodplain in the coastal regions.

http://lib.pmo.gov.bd/maps/index.html

20
Cyclones formed over the Bay of Bengal hit Bangladesh in three ways: gusty wind, three
to nine meter high storm surge and intense rainfall. Cyclones are usually generated over
the Bay of Bengal during the pre-monsoon and post monsoon season (May-June and
October-November).

Causes of Cyclone
Variation in local temperature
High air pressure over the ocean
Influence of humidity in the air.
Interaction of warm and cold air
Direction and intensity of wind flow
Axial motion of the Earth
Cyclones are usually formed in tropical region situated on both sides of the equator.
Depression over the Bay creates low pressure which eventually turns into a cyclone. This
cyclone then moves landward in a circular way under the influence of the westerly
wind. The center or eye of the cyclone is surrounded by several layers of dense cloud.
The clouds hang in the air like some tall pillars.
The stormy wind evaporates the ocean water very quickly. The vapors rush towards the
center and rise above the pillar under the convection current. At the top, however, the
air pressure is low so these vapors spread up swiftly at the top. The temperature of the
vapor drops and turns into cold droplets of water. During a cyclone it is these water
droplets that fall as raindrops. The rain comes down in torrents and it is more intense
around the center of the cyclone. But when the cyclone is stationery the rainfall is more
uniform. When the cyclone is moving the rainfall becomes more erratic. The wind
speed is the highest around the 65-75 km radius from the eye of the cyclone. Generally
the maximum velocity (700 millibar) is found in 3 km of distance from the ground
upwards.
21
Eye of the cyclone Cyclone track in 1991, Bangladesh

5. Earthquake
Sudden movement or tremor of the Earth crust is known as earthquake.
What is Earthquake?
Earthquake refers to sudden trembling and vibrating of the earth surface resulting from
tectonic movement along a fault plane due to volcanic activity or human induced
explosions. Most of the earthquakes last less than one minute. Some large scale
earthquakes are followed by aftershocks that often result in dangerous consequences
of casualties.
Causes of Earthquake
Small scale earthquake may be experienced due to movement of plate boundaries,
volcanic eruptions, propagation of fracture along the fault plane, excavation of coal and
mine, etc. But according to scientists most of the large scale earthquakes result from
plate tectonics.
Seismic Zone of Bangladesh
In 1979, analyzing the earthquake data from the Geological Survey of Bangladesh, the
country was divided into 3 seismic zones. A revised map with the seismic zones
identified was published in 1979. DDC (1993) identified zone 3, in the map, as the most
22
http://www.islandnet.com/~see/weather/
events/sigcyclonebangladesh.htm
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:
1991_Bangladesh_Cyclone_29_apr_1991_0623Z.jpg
earthquake-prone region of the country. The north and north eastern districts
(Jamalpur, Mymensing, and Sylhet) of Bangladesh fall in this region. Chittagong,
Chittagong Hill Tracts and Dhaka fall under zone-2 which is moderately prone to
earthquake. But in last 5 years, origins of most of the earthquakes were identified in
Chittagong and its surrounding areas. So putting Chittagong in zone 2 is debatable.
Most of the earthquake scientists would prefer to see Chittagong in the most
earthquake prone region (zone 3).
Based on the scale of earthquakes, Bangladesh has been divided into 3 seismic zones:
i. Catastrophic Zone: Sylhet, Habiganj, Moulavibazar, Sunamganj, Netrokona,
Kishorganj, Mymensing, Sherpur, Lalmonirhat, Rangpur and Gaibandha.
Possible scale in Richter scale is 7+
ii. Severe Zone: Panchagar, Thakurgaon, Dinajpur, Nilphamari, Joypurhat,
Bogra, Tangail, Manikganj, Dhaka, Gazipur, Narsingdi, Munshiganj,
Narayanganj, Greater Comilla, Greater Chittagong and Chittagong Hill
Tracts. Possible scale of intensity is 6-9 on Richter scale.
iii. General Zone: Other districts of the country like the Greater Rajshahi,
Greater Pabna, Greater Kushtia, Greater Jessore, Greater Khulna, Greater
Barisal and Greater Patuakhali fall in the least earthquake vulnerable zone.
Possible scale of intensity in Richter scale is 6-6.9.
23
http://www.banglapedia.org/httpdocs/Maps/MN_0131A.GIF
Bangladesh: Most Significant Earthquakes
Recent earthquakes in Bangladesh
The earthquake experts of the Geological Survey of Bangladesh reported that the
recent earthquakes of Hamzarbagh in Chittagong on 21st November, 1997,
Maheshkhali earthquake from 22nd July to 2nd August 1997 and Barkal earthquake of
Rangamati on 27th July 2003 created much panic throughout the country particularly
in Chittagong region.
However, the above mentioned earthquakes provided valuable information in
analyzing characteristics of geological sub surface of Bangladesh and its surrounding
areas.
Disaster and its consequences
It is obvious that the direct victims of disasters are the people and their property. The
more we are learning about disaster and its management issues, the more we are
opening up to new dimensions and aspects of disasters and its consequences. The
victims and consequences of disasters are two very important things to consider while
studying or training on disaster issues. The victims of disaster may be classified based
on their age, physical ability, gender, community and livelihood.
10th June 1869
Name of
Earthquake
Intensity (R) Affected Areas
Distance of the
epicenter from
Dhaka ( km >)
Date
Kachar
Earthquake
7.5 250 Sylhet area
Bengal
earthquake
7.0 170 Bogra, Sirajganj,
Jamalpur,
Mymensing
Great Indian
earthquake
8.7 130 Sylhet,
Mymensing,
Rangpur
Srimangal earth
quake
7.6 150 Srimangal
Dhrubri
earthquake
7.1 250 Eastern part of
Rangpur
14th July 1885
12th June 1897
4th July 1918
2nd July 1930
24
Based on age group population is divided into:
Children
Old people

I was responsible as a program coordinator of a private relief organization in Chakoria
Upazilla after the disastrous cyclone in 1991. There, we used to eat in a restaurant in
front of our office. The restaurant manager one day requested us to take custody of a
10/11 years old boy. The boy was mute. Probably he lost his family members during the
deadly cyclone. The boy was with us for one week. One day during dining at the
restaurant one Union Parishad Member of the Magnama Union Parishad identified the
boy. But he said that the boy could talk. But he never spoke with us or anyone else
again. He became speechless after losing at least 20 relatives in the cyclone. - Rezaul
Karim
Based on physical disability
Physically impaired
Intellectually/mentally impaired
Pregnant Women.
Based on Gender
Women
I ate PANTA and salt in the morning. What you will eat in the noon? Dont know.
Finding no penny in the house my husband just stormed out of the house angrily, says
Suriya Kannya, a 16 year old mother. She lives on the embankment along the Jamuna
river in Sirajganj. For the last 6 years, since she moved to her husbands village, she is
struggling hard to cope with the rages of the mighty Jamuna. Like others on the
embankment, this adolescent mother also rushes to people, coming from towns and
cities on expensive cars, with the hope of getting relief materials. Flood visits us every
year. But the flood water still did not recede this year.
There is no work in the village and we are only left to die with hunger, says Suriya Kannya
with great despair in her voice. My children cry for food, my husband is always bitter
and angry, but what can I do? I even give my share of the food to my children and
husband sighs Suriya Kannya.
Asha Naznin, Prothom Alo, 29th August, 2007.
25
Result/impact of Disaster
Every disaster leaves its destructive footprints, whether small or large, in the
communities that it strikes. Analyzing the impacts we find multidimensional effects on
the community from any disaster. Generally the types of losses from a disaster can be
classified as follows:

1. Physical
Death
Injury
Fracture of bones
Loss of organs
Abortion
2. Mental
Fear
Frustration, anxiety
Weakness, dizziness
Suicidal notion
Nightmare
Restlessness and depression
3. Economical
Massive loss of crops
Price hike of daily necessities
Loss of livestock and fodder
Death of domestic animals and poultry
I am very much surprised with the behavior of the friends of my husband.
Shamelessly they started such behavior after the death of my husband which is
unwanted and unexpected. A bunch of people appeared in disguise of well-wishers
and always followed me. But they are actually loafer with bad intentions. Some of
them proposed me to be their second wife. Some others tried to convince me to
fulfill their evil desire. It is now my sole struggle to keep me safe and protected from
these so called well-wishers of the society.
- Jhumur, Saturia.
Source: Disaster and Women, 1988
26
Damage of hatchery and fish farm
Damage of roads , bridges and culverts
Damage of seeds
Food insecurity
Damage of houses and educational institutes
A decline in development activities
4. Social
Deterioration of law and order situation
An increase in the number of beggars
Limited opportunity and circumstances for education
An increase in dependency
Increased number of landless people
More people in debt
5. Health and Environment
Destruction of forest and plantation
Epidemic breakout of diarrhea along with other communal diseases.
Deterioration of drainage system
Water logging
Decrease in soil fertility due to sand siltation
River erosion
Air and water pollution due to decomposed carcasses

27
Session No. 3
Title of the Session: Root Cause Analysis of Disaster
Sub-titles: Root Cause Analysis of Disaster: Relationship between Poverty and Disaster
In this session, the participants are introduced to concepts that establish links between
poverty and disasters. Initially the participants are expected learn to distinguish
between the symptoms and causes of poverty. The session then shifts its focus on lack
of good governance as the main element responsible for deprivation of human rights
of the marginal poor. Subsequently, the participants will be educated regarding the
process by which lack of human rights lead to poverty, which is the root cause of all
vulnerabilities to disasters.
Objectives of Lesson : To develop the participants knowledge on root cause of
disasters
Outcome of the lesson : At the end of the session participants:
Are able to identify root causes of disasters
are able to explain the relationship between poverty and
disaster
Method: Lecture, Assessment, Discussion, and Question and Answer
Time : 1 hour
Introduction
Method: Discussion, and Question and Answer
Procedure: The facilitator, with a welcome note, will start the discussion on the subject
matter. He will discuss the importance of the session and decribe how this knowledge
can contribute in reducing the impact of disasters in a community.
Time: 05 minutes
Relationship between Poverty and Disaster
Method: Lecture, Discussion, and Question and Answer
Procedure: The facilitator will ask the participants what they think is the relationship
between poverty and disaster. This discussion will also help to expand their knowledge
on this issue. The facilitator would also try to find out what the participants understood
by rights. He will write down the sum and substance of the discussion on a board and
will also exhibit the confined slides in the multimedia.
28
Now, the facilitator will want to know from the participants what they think are the
existing causes of poverty. He will write the causes on the board and will try to establish
with logic and reason that the apparent causes are not really the causes of poverty
rather symptoms. He will then explain the real causes of poverty and will exhibit a chart
on this. Then he will ask the following questions:
1. Does everyone get equally affected by disasters?
2. Does everyone have the same capacity to recover from the disaster losses?
3. Who are the most affected? Why? How?
4. Does everyone living in a particular area face the same hazard?
5. Is everyone listened to equally? Who are the neglected ones?
6. Is the power structure and system equally responsible for all?
7. Is everyone equally benefited by all the development activities? Why? How?
Answers will be written down on the board. The facilitator will then try to establish with
logic and reasoning that poverty is the root of all vulnerabilities, which again evolve
mainly from the deprivation of rights. As poor people live in the most vulnerable
conditions they are the most affected after any disaster. This can be further clarified by
discussing and analyzing the reference diagram.
Time: 45 minutes
1. Review of Discussion
Method: Discussion, and Question and Answer
Procedure: The facilitator will end the discussion after verifying that the intended
lessons have been learnt by participants based on the following questions;
What is the difference between hazards and disasters?
What are the real causes of poverty?
How the violations of rights generate vulnerability of the community?
Time: 10 minutes.
29
Session Guide
Root Cause of Disasters: Relationship between Poverty and Disasters
When you see a child is drowning, you too will jump into the water to save him. You will
repeat the same everytime you see a child drowning. But among all these rush you
might not bother to find out who is throwing the child into the water.
Paulo Freire
Conventional economists identify unemployment and low wage of the majority of the
people of the country as the two main causes of poverty. Other identified causes of
poverty are incompetency, ill health, insufficient land, capital, etc. In fact, these are really
the symptoms of poverty rather than the causes. The root cause of poverty is really the
absence of basic empowerment of individuals as well as of communities. It seems
apparent that powerlessness is enough to make a man unconfident and incompetent.
In recent times, social scientists too tend to believe that the cause of powerlessness
among the rural poor is the absence of their own institutions in the community. World
famous social scientist Paulo Frere has helped to establish this concept even more
strongly.
It is also observed in our country that the power structure, both formal and informal,
mostly lies with the well-off persons of the society. As a result the unorganized rural
poor are often deprived from accessing facilities from these institutions.
Causes of Poverty
Poverty is deprivation of human right. The most important causes of poverty are
unrecognizing basic human rights and inadequate actions to improve the human
capital. If the causes of poverty can be controlled then it is possible to alleviate poverty
gradually. Poverty alleviation programs are often designed based on the symptoms of
poverty rather than on the root causes. Such approach may bring only temporary relief
to the problem but eventually it does not contribute to sustainable development. The
durable change can only be achieved with the active participation in dealing with
causes of problems, inequality and misery.
Conventional economists have identified the causes of poverty categorically as low
wage, unemployment, ill health, illiteracy, overpopulation, scarcity of resources,
inadequate land and capital. But in reality these are not the actual causes of poverty,
rather are the symptoms.
30
In fact the main cause of poverty is lack of good governance. The following happens in
absence of good governance
A hazard turns into a disaster when the vulnerability of majority people in a certain
locality is high and gets even more extended and intensified by manmade calamities.
The source of vulnerability is poverty which evolves mainly from the deprivation of
human rights.
It is evident from the following diagram that the deprivation of human rights results in
poverty.
Deprivation of human right
Powerless Status
Unequal distribution of resources
Consequently, People become poor
Deprivation of Right
Poverty
Vulnerability
Disaster
31
Session No. 4
Title of the Session: Introduction to Disaster Risk Reduction
Sub-titles: Conceptual clarity on Disaster Risk Reduction, Coping mechanism of
community, Disaster risk reduction at family, community and institutional level
This session will deal with issues like disaster risk reduction, coping mechanism of
community, the resilience capacity of community and a detailed discussion on disaster
risk reduction at family, community and institutional level. Form this discussion the
stakeholders related with disaster risk reduction will get an idea on disaster
preparedness and capacity of the community and later on they will apply this
knowledge when necessary.
Objectives of Session: To develop the participants knowledge on concept of Disaster
Risk Reduction
Outcome of the Session: At the end of the session participants:
are able to define and describe the concepts of Disaster Risk Reduction
are able to explain the strategy of community coping mechanism with
disaster
are able to explain how to reduce disaster risk at family, community and
institution level
Introduction
Method: Open Discussion, and Question and Answer.
Procedure: The facilitator giving welcome note will start the discussion on the subject
matter. He will discuss the imporatnce of the session and decribe how this knowledge
can contribute in reducing the impacts of a disaster in a community.
Time: 05 minutes
Conceptual clarity on Disaster Risk Reduction
Procedure: The facilitator will say that we have learned about disaster and now we will
know about Disaster Risk and Disaster Risk Reduction which refers to How to reduce
the risk of disaster.
32
He will ask the participants regarding Risk. The faciliator will write down the opinions
from the participants on a poster paper. After that he will make the subject matter clear
to the participants through discussion.
He will present the concept on Disaster Risk Reduction following the declaration of
ISDR.
He will present the diagram of Disaster Management Cycle and describe the different
phases of the cycle.
Finally he will present some local and international case studies following the notes and
describe how small Investment can reduce the risk of disater significantly in a certain
community.
Time: 25 minutes
Coping mechanism of community
Procedure: The facilitator will explain what does mean by Community Coping
Mechanism. Incidentally he will make difference between coping mechanism and
suvival strategy.
Then he will ask the participants to present the local coping mechanisms. He will write
down the points on the board.
After that he will make discussion on the suggested opnions from the participants and
put it on the poster paper . Then he will tag the opinions on posters and exhibit it on a
suitable corner of the training room.
Then he will ask whether they understood the subject matter. If there is any question or
queries, then he will clear out the matter though role play.
Time: 30 minutes
Disaster risk reduction at family, community and institutional level
The facilitator will ask about Disaster risk reduction at family, community and
institutional level to the participants and then he will discuss on the suggested opinion
and present the selected notes on the subject matter.
At this stage the facilitator will present the services of some important department of
Bangladesh Government, which is directly related to reducing disasters.
Time: 30 minutes
33
Session Guide: Introduction to Disaster Risk Reduction

Disaster Risk Reduction
The process by which reduction of damage can be achieved as a whole is termed as
Disaster Risk Reduction. Mainly Disaster risk reduction expresses the measures that are
adopted for disaster preparedness, disaster mitigation, disaster prevention.
'Disaster risk reduction' describes measures to curb disaster losses, through minimizing
the hazard, reducing exposure and susceptibility and enhancing coping and adaptive
capacity. Good disaster risk reduction also continues after a disaster, building resilience
to future hazards.
These involve interventions in three broad areas:
hazard minimization (where possible);
reducing exposure and susceptibility;
enhancing coping and adaptive capacity.
Example: Four people are riding on a pickup truck. .
Imagine one pickup truck, where two people are sitting with their seat belts fastened
up, and two are standing at the back of the pickup. If, now an accident occurs and the
pickup collides with a truck, then our instinct tell us that the two people standing at the
back are the most affected. This shows us that although four of them faced the same
accident, the effect was not the same in terms of loss. Because people in the front seat
were more prepared than those at the back. This explains that risk is the result of hazard
and vulnerability.
The conceptual framework of elements considered with the possibilities to minimize
vulnerabilities and disaster risks throughout a society, to avoid (prevention) or to limit
(mitigation and preparedness) the adverse impacts of hazards within the broad context of
sustainable development.
The disaster risk reduction framework is composed of the following fields of action, as
described in ISDR's publication 2002 "Living with Risk: a global review of disaster
reduction initiatives,"
Risk awareness and assessment including hazard analysis and
vulnerability/capacity analysis;
Knowledge development including education, training, research and
information;
Public commitment and institutional frameworks, including organizational,
policy, legislation and community action;
Application of measures including environmental management, land-use,
urban planning, protection of critical facilities, application of science and
technology, partnership and networking, and financial instruments;
34
Early warning systems including forecasting, dissemination of warnings, preparedness
measures and reaction capacities. (http://www.unisdr.org/eng/library/lib-terminology-
eng%20home.htm)
Disaster Management Cycle
Disaster management aims to reduce, or avoid the potential losses from hazards, assure
prompt and appropriate assistance to victims of disaster, and achieve rapid and
effective recovery. The Disaster management cycle illustrates the ongoing process by
which governments, businesses, and civil societies plan for and reduce the impact of
disasters, react during and immediately following a disaster, and take steps to recover
after a disaster has occurred. Appropriate actions at all points in the cycle lead to
greater preparedness, better warnings, reduced vulnerability or the prevention of
disasters during the next iteration of the cycle. The complete disaster management
cycle includes the shaping of public policies and plans that either modify the causes of
disasters or mitigate their effects on people, property, and infrastructure.
The 'disaster management cycle' is a normative model of appropriate programming
interventions at sequential stages in the unfolding of a disaster event. Its purpose is to
show that disaster impacts can be lessened by prior prevention and preparedness
measures which are essentially development activities, while humanitarian response in
the wake of a disaster should be followed by rehabilitation activities aimed at easing
the transition back into development. (http://www.gdrc.org/uem/disasters/1-
dm_cycle.html)

Source: http://www.gisdevelopment.net/magazine/years/2006/oct/images/26_1.jpg
35
Prevention and Mitigation
Recovery
Reconstruction
Rehabilitation
Scientific hazard analysis
Simulation and modeling
Vulnerability analysis
Risk assessment and mapping
Structural
Building stock assessment
Non structural measures
Awareness campaign
Training and
capacity building
Spatial planning
Infrastructure
Housing
Livelibood
Social security
Transport
Water
Communication
Housing
Agriculture
Search and rescue
Rubble and debris removal
Logistics
Delivery of relief supplies
Prioritizing actions
Situation Analysis
Crisis maps
Information communication
Evacuation and shelters
Dispatching of resources
Early damage assessment
Monitoring
Forecasting
Early warning
Scenario
identification
Resource Inventory
Stockpiling
Logistics planning
Evacuation planning
Communications planning
Needs Assessment
Response

Relief
Prediction and
Warning
Preparedness

S
G
I
in
The
Disaster
Cycle O
p
p
o
r
t
u
n
i
t
y
The literature on disasters cites a wide range of cases where the economic benefits of
risk reduction measures that were or might have been taken seemed significantly to
outweigh their costs. Many of these examples, based either on 'with-without'
comparisons (comparing losses in the same disaster between areas that employed risk
reduction strategies and those that did not), or 'before-after' comparisons (comparing
disaster losses in an area which had risk reduction strategies to those in the same area
in an earlier comparable disaster when it did not), raise methodological questions
relating to the estimation of costs and benefits. These are reflected upon further..
Disaster risk reduction can be achieved by the following six steps
1. Response
2. Relief
3. Recovery
4. Mitigation
5. Preparedness
6. Prediction and Warning
1. Response: The aim of emergency response is to provide immediate assistance to
maintain life, improve health and support the morale of the affected population. Such
assistance may range from providing specific but limited aid, such as assisting refugees
with transport, temporary shelter and food to establishing semi-permanent settlements
in camps and other locations. It may also involve initial repairs to damaged
infrastructure.
2. Relief: The provision of assistance or intervention during or immediately after a
disaster to meet the life preservation and basic subsistence needs of those people
affected. It can be of an immediate, short-term, or protracted duration (ISDR)
3. Recovery: Returning the community to normal. Examples: temporary housing;
grants; medical care. Decisions and actions taken after a disaster with a view to restore
or improve the pre-disaster living conditions of the stricken community, while
encouraging and facilitating necessary adjustments to reduce disaster risk.
4. Prevention/Mitigation: Mitigation activities actually eliminate or reduce the
probability of disaster occurrence, or reduce the effects of unavoidable disasters.
Mitigation measures include building codes; vulnerability analysis updates; zoning and
land use management.
5. Preparedness: The goal of emergency preparedness programs is to achieve a
satisfactory level of readiness to respond to any emergency situation through
programs that strengthen the technical and managerial capacity of governments,
organizations and communities. These measures can be described as logistical
readiness to deal with disasters and can be enhanced by having response mechanisms
and procedures, rehearsals, developing long-term and short-term strategies, public
education and building early warning systems.
36
6. Prediction and Warning:
A prediction or forecast is a statement about the way things will happen in the future,
often but not always based on experience or knowledge. While there is much overlap
between prediction and forecast, a prediction may be a statement that some outcome
is expected, while a forecast may cover a range of possible outcomes.
The provision of timely and effective information, through identified institutions, that
allows individuals exposed to a hazard to take action to avoid or reduce their risk and
prepare for effective response.
Early warning systems include a chain of concerns, namely: understanding and
mapping the hazard; monitoring and forecasting impending events; processing and
disseminating understandable warnings to political authorities and the population, and
undertaking appropriate and timely actions in response to the warnings.
Source: www.unisdr.org
37
Coping mechanism of community
The coping mechanism of a community refers to the ability or capacity of the
community to cope with disasters. It depends upon the relationship between the
communities, access to institutions and supporting organizations, and also on the
willingness to volunteer in the affected community. All living things cope with their
surroundings and coping with disaster is most prominent among others. It is the ability
to cope that lifts one up from the misery of the disasters.
When flood hit the Kolom village of Shingra Upazilla in Natore district, and breached
the embankment of the area the villagers took the initiative to repair the bridge instead
of waiting for the arrival of the government staffs. They used available local materials
such as sand bags, bamboo frame, brick, rock, wooden log, etc. for repairing the bridge.
Coping mechanism
The capacity or ability of defending disaster refers to coping mechanism. Using their
capacity people can cope with disaster. Generally there are two types of coping
mechanism 1) Activity oriented and 2) Emotion oriented.
1. Activity Oriented
Coping mechanism based on activity refers to the planned set of activities or measures
that are taken into consideration for reducing the impact of disaster such as saving
money , raising homestead for human and animals, plantation, building shelters and
embankment, vaccinate domestic animals.
2. Emotion Oriented
Coping mechanism based on emotion refers to the situation when instead of running
planned set of measures for reducing disaster risks, people depend on their fate and
run relief activities.
Some examples of coping mechanism are given below:
In low lying flood prone area people usually build their house at a height
and adjacent to each other so that flood water could not enter and people
could freely move from one place to another place.
In flood prone areas people use advanced varieties of seed for rice
production. IRRI and SDC jointly produced advanced varieties of seed which
is gradually gaining popularity among the flood prone area, due to their
short harvest period.
38
People often have to build high platforms inside houses or raise the beds
with bricks so that they can continue living when floodwater enters their homes.
When tube well tends to go under floodwater, people try to keep it above
the water level by adding additional pipes.
When pond or water reservoir overflows, local people use net, tin, fence or
any other suitable materials to protect the fish from floating away.
To prevent soil erosion with the water current from the base of the
homestead local people plant Dolkolmi, Kasbon, weeds and bamboo around
the houses. When new chars emerge together they grow kashbon on the
char to raise the bed of the char.
Saving dry food and money
Activities related to disaster risk reduction at family, community and institutional
level
Family Social
Build house in elevated land and to
make the plinth higher
Put fencing and pillar in the houses/
make elevated platforms too.
Arrange safe delivery space for
pregnant women
Ensure elevated place for keeping
livestock and poultry , and for storing
food
Install tube well and latrine in elevated
place
Preserve dried wood and keep a
portable furnace
Plantation around the house
Develop a habit of saving
Form a disaster preparedness
committee and hold meeting regularly.
Include elderly people, disabled and
women in the committee.
Form volunteer groups with the youths
of the community
Form a volunteer group to transfer
children, pregnant women, elderly
people and people with disability
during a disaster.
Keep in store the necessary equipment
and instruments like wheel chair,
crutches, stretcher, etc. which not only
will be needed by the disabled people
but also come useful when people get
injured during movement
39
Disaster Risk Reduction Activities at Institutional Level
An assigned program of disaster risk reduction for Administration, Government
service(s) Department, Local Government and Private Volunteer Organizations should
exist to safeguard human lives and property and in order to reduce their sufferings.
Programs may consist of the following:
Conduct regular meetings of the Zilla, Upazilla and Union Disaster
Management Committees following the Standing Order on Disaster. Ensure
participation of NGO representatives to give importance to their opinion
and to implement decisions taken in the meeting.
Necessary materials and equipment should be preserved beforehand prior
to any disaster in agriculture, health, public health and engineering and
water development board.
Identify the most vulnerable areas. The Disaster Management Committee of
all level will determine in advance about how many people might be
affected, need to be rescued, and will need relief materials, etc.
Arrange shelters locally for the disaster victims in advance to ensure their
safe stay. Also ensure availability of water and sewerage systems in the
shelters.
Ensure accessibility of the shelters to the children, old people, pregnant
women and disabled people. Accessibility means safe and secured entry to
the shelter without payment of any price or tax and the ability to enjoy all
the basic facilities of the shelter.
Ensure suitable infrastructure for the easy movement of the visibly impaired,
Preserve baby food
Preserve salt, soybean oil, matches,
kerosene oil
Preserve vegetable seed
Preserve dried vegetable (dried pepper,
onion, jack fruit seed, coriander,
pumpkin, etc.)
Make arrangement for saline
preparation
Maintain communication with
volunteers
Build and maintain boats and rafts
from home to the shelter and so on.
Prepare a list of risky/vulnerable places
Identify the well-off people of the area
and possible places for shelter
Divide responsibilities during disaster
Communicate with Government
organizations and NGOs
Ensure maintenance of road and make
it elevated
Build cattle sheds to keep the livestock
safe.
Make the village elevated
40
people walking on crutches and wheelchairs (safe restroom, school, mosque,
health complex, embankment, bridge, roads, etc.)
Organize volunteer groups in village and wards under the supervision of
Union Parishad. The volunteer groups can be trained on first aid, search and
rescue operations, etc. with the help of Fire Service and Civil Defense and
Red Crescent Society.
Build cattle sheds for the livestock and poultry.
Programs for Disaster Risk Reduction by the Government Service Departments of
Agriculture, Health, Public Health and Engineering and Water Development Board
Department
Responsibilities of
Community
Services
Department of Agriculture
Pre Disaster Suggestion for reducing
loss in agricultural sector
during disaster
Take initiatives to arrange
for loans from banks or
other sources for the
farmers.
To communicate with
Deputy Assistant
agricultural officer.
Apply to Upazilla
Agricultural officer for
necessary steps, in
written if necessary
To distribute Fertilizer
and seed free of cost.
Provide valuable
suggestions to the
farmers on agricultural
issues.
Help arrange access to
easy loans for farmers.
Get support from the
Upazilla Chairman or
members
Health Department Appoint field officers to
raise awareness among
people on the five
contagious diseases.
Communicate with Union
health and family welfare
center and Upazilla health
center.
41
During Disaster
Department
Responsibilities of
Community
Services
Pre Disaster
Arrange vaccination
programs for the
children to prevent these
five diseases.
Extend health services in
the health centers
Execute emergency
services to control diarrhea.
Advertise and promote
use of birth control
measures.
Extend health service in
the shelters and in
remote areas by mobile
medical team.
Extend emergency
service for Diarrhea control
Raise awareness among
people to prevent the
spread of diseases.
Broadcast relevant
information to protect
health from disaster.
Provide sanitary facilities
at a low price.
Distribute tube wells free
of cost.
Raise awareness among
the people to use safe
water and sanitation.
Identify and mark
arsenic affected tube
wells free of cost
To make the health
worker aware of the
contagious disease
detected in any place.
To inform Upazilla health
office about health
problem and demand
through Union council.
Communicate and
apply to Upazilla office
through Union council
Apply in written form to
the Deputy Assistant
engineer.
Also, communicate with
the health workers and
discuss steps to be taken.
During Disaster
Department of Public
Health and Engineering
Pre Disaster
42
Install temporary tube
wells for water supply in
shelters
Install temporary toilets
to keep shelters clean
and hygienic.
Inform and update the
Zilla and Upazilla
administration about the
water and sanitation
condition of the disaster
affected area.
Ensure good health and
provide vaccination for
household animals and
birds.
Train relevant personnel
on preparation and
preservation of animal
food
Sell poultry and ducks at
token price.
Ensure treatment and
vaccination for household
animals free of cost
Inform Upazilla
administration if livestock
and poultry need to be
transferred to a safer
place.
Identify safe places for
keeping the household
animals and birds.
Communicate and apply
to Upazilla livestock
office through Union
Council.
Communicate with
Upazilla livestock officer.
During Disaster
Department of Live Stock
Pre Disaster
During Disaster
43
Department
Responsibilities of
Community
Services
Run a flood information
center from April to
November of every year.
Monitor and inform rain
fall and water level data
of the rivers coming from
India.
Participate in local
Disaster management
committee
Carry out and complete
any necessary
maintenance works of
embankments before
April of every year.
Ensure security of the
sluice gate.
Apply to the concerned
office of water
development board
through Union Parishad.
Communicate with
Deputy
assistant/Assistant
Engineer of water
development board.
Assist local
administration in rescue,
search and evacuation
operation and also
provide necessary
support with equipment,
appliances and vehicles.
Visit the affected area
frequently and take
necessary steps and
precautions on
emergency basis
Evaluate losses and move
ahead with repair,
reinstall work on priority
basis.
Water Development
Board.
Pre Disaster
During Disaster
44
Department
Responsibilities of
Community
Services
Session No. 5
Title of the Session: Institutional Framework on Disaster Preparedness and
Management in Bangladesh
Sub-titles: Standing Orders on Disasters (SoD)
Role of Institutions and Union Council in Disaster Management
In this session elaborate discussion will be conducted on institutional preparedness
and response in disaster management, such as pre-disaster preparation and rescue
operation, emergency relief, rehabilitation and recovery. Also, organizational structures,
of different tyres of disaster management committees as per SoD and fomation of
union disaster management committee and role of Union Council with reference to the
standing order on disasters will be discussed.
Objectives of Lesson:
To create a training environment, assess the expectation of the participants and share
the aim and objectives of the training.
Outcome of Lesson: At the end of the session participants:
are able to acquire the knowledge on the actors in disaster management in
Bangladesh and roles and responsibilities of union council in disaster
preparedness and management
are able to know about the Standing Order on Disaster of the Bangladesh
Government.
Accessories: White board, Poster paper, Marker, Art liner and VIPP card.
Introduction
Procedure: Facilitator will shed light on the subject and sub-topic of the session. He will
discuss the imporatnce of the session and decribe how the members of union disaster
management committee can play actively to reduce the impact of disasters. He can
conduct a brief question and answer session on this session.
Time: 05 Minutes.
45
Standing Orders on Disasters (SoD)
Procedure: Facilitator will ask the participants whether they know about the standing
orders on disaster management (SoD). Through this, the facilitator will have aware
about the knowledge on SoD of the members of UDMC.
He will then discuss elaborately about SoD, its background and importance.
He will display the different tyers of disaster management committees, formation of
union disaster management committee and roles and responsibilities of UDMC.
He will discuss about the role of members of UDMC to activate the committee. (Time:
60 minutes)

Finally, with the help of the facilitator the participants will participate in a role play to
illustrate the meeting conduction process of the Union Disaster Management
Committee. Through this role play the facilitator will try to establish the democratic role
and attitute of chairman of UDMC. (Time: 15 minutes)
Time: 75 Minutes
Procedure: The facilitator will review the entire session. He will try to remove the
confussion on this session of the participants.
Time: 10 Minutes.
46
Session Guide:
Institutional Framework on Disaster Preparedness and Management in Bangladesh
Disaster Management Institutions in Bangladesh
The Ministry of Food and Disaster Management (MoFDM) of the Government of
Bangladesh is the prime responsible ministry for coordinating national disaster
management efforts across all agencies. The Standing Orders on Disasters is basic
institutional framework of disaster management in Bangladesh.
Standing Orders on Disaster
The Standing Orders on Disaster has been prepared with the avowed objective of
making better plans on mitigation and preparedness for ultimate disaster risk
reduction. In Standing Orders concerned persons and authorities related with
Emergency Response, Rescue, Relief, Rehabilitation and Recovery have their duties and
responsibilities regarding disaster management. It describes the detailed roles and
responsibilities of committees, all Ministries, NGOs and other organizations in disaster
risk reduction and emergency management, and establishes the necessary actions
required in implementing Bangladeshs Disaster Management Model.
A series of inter-related institutions, at both national and sub-national levels have been
created to ensure effective planning and coordination of disaster risk reduction and
emergency response management.
At the national level
i. National Disaster Management Council (NDMC) headed by the Honorable Prime
Minister to formulate and review the disaster management policies and issue directives
to all concerns.
ii. Inter-Ministerial Disaster Management Co-ordination Committee (IMDMCC)
headed by the Honorable Minister in charge of the Ministry of Food and Disaster
Management (MoFDM) to implement disaster management policies and decisions of
NDMC / Government.
47
iii. National Disaster Management Advisory Committee (NDMAC) headed by an
experienced person having been nominated by the Honorable Prime Minister.
iv. Cyclone Preparedness Program Implementation Board (CPPIB) headed by the
Secretary, Ministry of Food and Disaster Management to review the preparedness
activities in the face of initial stage of an impending cyclone.
National Disaster
Management Council
Inter Ministerial
Disaster Management
Coordination Committee
(IMDMCC)
Ministry of Food and Disaster (MoFDM)
Directorate of Relief and
Rehabilitation (DRR)
Disaster Management
Bureau (DMB)
District Disaster
Management Committee
(DDMC)
Upazila Disaster Management
Committee (UZDMC)
City Corporation
Disaster Management
Committee (CCDMC)
Municipal Disaster
Management
Committee (MDMC)
Union Disaster Management Committee
(UDMC)
Directorate of
Food (DGoF)
Disaster Management
Bureau (DMB)
Zone/Upazilla
Union
Village
National
Disaster
Management
Advisory Council
(NDMAC)
48
At District Level
District Disaster Management Committee (DDMC) headed by the Deputy
Commissioner (DC) to co-ordinate and review the disaster management activities at the
district level.
At Upazilla (Sub-district) Level
Upazilla Disaster Management Committee (UZDMC) headed by the Upazilla Nirbahi
Officer (UNO) to co-ordinate and to review the disaster management activities at the
Upazilla level.
At Union Level
Union Disaster Management Committee (UDMC) headed by the Chairman of the
Union Council to co-ordinate, review and implement the disaster management
activities of the concerned union.
Formation of Union Disaster Management Committee
1. Chairman, Union Council Member
2. Members of the Union Council Member
3. Teacher representative Member
4. Govt. officials at the union level Member
5. Women representative Member
6. Cyclone Preparedness Program representative(if any) Member
7. Bangladesh Red Crescent Society representative (if any) Member
8. NGO representative Member
9. Secretary of the Union Council Member Secretary
In the light of local situation and special circumstances, the Chairman of the committee
can co-opt another three members. Representatives from farmers, fishermen, local
leaders, freedom fighters, Imam/reverend/ priest and Ansar/VDP representatives could
be included.
49
During normal time this committee will meet once a month. During warning period the
committee will meet once in every two months. During disaster the Committee will
meet once daily, and after some improvement in situation, once in every week. This
committee can call for urgent meeting if necessary. With permission of committee chair,
members could join other bilateral or multilateral meetings on development issues.
The presence of all members is mandatory in the meeting. During normal time of after
disaster one-third presence of members will fill the corium. During disaster or warning
period one-fourth presence of members will fill the corium.
Every year committee chair will prepare an up to date report for Upazilla Disaster
Management Committee. Here sending report is mandatory, even if no changes take
place in the previous year.

Roles and Responsibilities of Union Disaster Management Committee
Responsibilities of Union Disaster
Management Committee
Normal time
During
disaster
Warning
period
50
During Disaster
01. Normal Time
Ensure that local people are kept informed regarding taking practical measures for the
reduction of risk personally or collectively, and also about wide publicity regarding the
reduction of risk at community level and the methods of keeping alive.
Arrange training and workshops on regular basis on disaster issues and keep
the Disaster Management Bureau informed.
Prepare a Disaster Action Plan with a view to enabling local people, Union
authority and local organization to take up security arrangement in the
perspective of imminent danger related warnings or occurrence of disaster
including the issues already mentioned under this paragraph.
Take steps for quickest and effective publicity of forecasts/warnings relating to
cyclone and floods and also inform people about their responsibilities of
saving their lives and properties from disaster.
Determine specific safe center/shelter where the population of certain areas
will go at the time of need and assign responsibilities to different persons for
various services at the shelter/center.
Ensure supply of water and if necessary other services from specific points near
the shelter/center with the help of Thana authority.
Prepare relevant plans for local rescue plan, primary relief operation, restoration
of communication with Thana Headquarters and local arrangement for
rehabilitation of severely affected families.
Arrangement for rehearsals or drills on the dissemination of warning
signals/forecasts, evacuation, rescue and primary relief operations.
During Disaster
Organize emergency rescue work by using locally available facilities in times of
need and if directed assist others in rescue work.
Collect statistics of loss incurred in a disaster in the light of guidelines of
Disaster Management Bureau and Thana Authority and send the same to
TDMC/Thana authority.
Take steps for distribution of articles for rehabilitation received locally or from
Relief and Rehabilitation Directorate and any other source following the
guidelines from Disaster Management Bureau and TDMC/Thana authority.
Send accounts of material received to Thana authority or donor agency.
In addition to above follow Standing Orders on disaster management related
issues and instant orders of appropriate authority.
Source: http://www.dmb.gov.bd/ndac.html
51
Session No. 6
Title of the Session: Assessment of Damage and Need
Sub-titles: Definition of Damage and Need Assessment, Necessity of damage and need
assessment, Guidelines on Damage and Need assessment: Important issues/ principles
for Damage and need assessment, Exercise on SOS Form, Exercise on Form for Assessing
of Damage and Need (Form-D)
The first steps during the aftermath of any disaster are assessment of damages and
casualties and preparation of a report according to it. Based on the report relief and
rehabilitation process can then be started. Thus assessment is an important issue after
any disaster. Generally, it is done following a specific guideline and a format at the field
level. This session will discuss importance of the loss assessment, how to conduct the
assessment, its scope, the format of writing and presenting the report, etc.
Objectives of Lesson: To enhance the participants knowledge on assessment of
damage and need during disaster aftermath and how to execute the concerned
government procedures

are able to learn and explain about assessing damage and need after disaster and
also understand the importance of focusing on the vulnerable poor people.
are able to learn and explain about the institutional roles and responsibilities of
union council and how to execute the concerned government procedures.
52
Assessment of Damage and Need
Introduction
Procedure: The facilitator will give an overview of the subject matter of the session to
the participants.
Time: 05 minutes
Assessment of Damage and Need
Procedure: The facilitator will test the participants knowledge on assessment of
damage and need. He will discuss the government procedures in brief. He will ask them:
Whether they have participated in preparing the government forms i.e. SoS
form and D form
How many participants have experience on this?
What was their role in preparing this?
Have they considered the vulnerable groups carefully in preparing the affected list?
Through this question answer session, the facilitator will have knowledge about the
participants on this. Apparently, the participants will be eager on the issue.
Time: 15 minutes
Importance and principles on assessment of damage and need
Procedure: The facilitator will explain that the damage and need differ with respect to
gender, generation, ability and profession. Then he will make a presentation on the
basis of Notes.
Time: 15 minutes
Guidelines on assessment of damage and need: SoS form and D Form
Procedure: The facilitator will ask the participants regarding assessment of loss and
need. A detailed discussion on damage and need assessment will then be held. Then
participants will be grouped into 3 or 4 on the basis of their geographical location. They
will be asked to fill up SOS and D form based on any imaginary disaster. Participants
will present their discussion in front of big group.
Finally the session will come to an end with a summarized discussion on subject matter
of the session.
Time: 2 hour
53
Session Guide: Assessment of Loss and Damage
Assessment of Damage:
Collection of data and information of damage due to disaster is termed as assessment
of loss.
Assessment of need
Assessment of need is a procedure whereby, information and data on need, capacity
and vulnerability are collected. After any disaster the rescue and relief activities are
taken as the first phase of disaster management, and rehabilitation comes second. That
is why assessment of loss and need are done in primary steps of reporting. As
assessment of loss and need are essential for reporting, the relevant information is
collected through a standard guideline.
Necessity of damage and need assessment
1. To assess the humanitarian, assets based and environmental need of affected
area
2. Identify the most affected families.
3. Assess the impact of a disaster ( based upon gender , generation , handicapped
people, ability and occupation )
4. Providing the information, data and suggestions to relevant authorities based
on what type of assistance is required in which phase of disaster, so that they
can take appropriate decisions.
Experience: In 1995 flood, dried and cooked food should have been given as relief. But
inappropriate need assessment chose rice, dal, salt, oil, etc. as the relief materials. Due to
absence of cooking facilities people had to starve. Similarly, the need for temporary
latrine, water purifying tablets, bleaching powder in flood shelter was not enlisted.
Therefore, many had to suffer from diarrhea. Inadequate plastic supply for temporary
shelters for people who lived on roads and embankments led many homeless people
to live under the open sky.
54
Guidelines on Damage and Need Assessment
Important issues/ principles for damage and need assessment
Measures should be taken in such manner that it meets the immediate need
keeping pace with long-term development.
Assist most vulnerable and poor people such as landless ,unemployed, aged ,
female headed family ,child headed family, minority, sex worker, adolescent,
pregnant and lactating mother and children under twelve .
Participation of different groups (development partner, union disaster
management committee, volunteer)
Consider the suitable options for affected people during response phase.
Evaluate the present situation of affected community
Option for selecting nominee against relief card could be ensured.

Fields of determining loss and need assessment in the aftermath of a disaster
Food security Fish
Health and nutrition Environment
Agriculture Homestead
Domestic animals Infrastructure and nursing
55
SoS Form

Approximate Loss and Damage and Emergency Requirement

Name of Thana___________________________________

1. Affected Unions (Number) :

2. Number of affected people (Approx.) :

3. House Destroyed (Approx.) :

4. Death (Approx.) :

5. Search/Rescue : Necessary/Not necessary

6. First Aid : Necessary/Not necessary

7. Drinking water : Necessary/Not necessary

8. Ready Food : Necessary/Not necessary

9. Clothing : Necessary/Not necessary

10. Emergency shelter : Necessary/Not necessary

Please send this information as primary report within one hour after the
occurrence of disaster or as soon as possible through telephone or wireless to Upazilla
Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and District Administration and EOC at the Ministry of Disaster
Management and Relief.
56
Form for Assessment of Damage and Need (Form-D)
Upazilla Nirbahi Officer (UNO) will collect detailed information from Union Council and
various departmental officers and fill up this form and send to the EOC at the Ministry
of Disaster Management and Relief through the Deputy Commissioner.
Name
of
Thana
Affected
Union
(nos)
Affected
Area
(Sq.km)
Number of affected
people
No.
of
dead
No. of
dead
buried
No. of
Injured
Number of Affected
Families
No. of
house
totally
destroyed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Worst Severe Partial Very
much
Much Partial
Form for Assessment of Loss and Damage
Loss of
Livestock
Loss of Poultry Loss of Crops Partial
damage to
crop
Damage to
salt
Damage to
Shrimps
Educational
Insts.(destroyed)
(No.)
Partially damaged
educational
Insts.(Number)
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Number Taka
(000)
Number Taka
(000)
Quantity Taka
(000)
Acre Taka
(000)
Acre Taka
(000)
Acre Taka
(000)
School/
Madrasa
College School/
Madrasa
College
No.of
houses
partially
damaged
Number of
damaged
mosques/Temples
Roads Destroyed (KM) Partially damaged
roads (KM)
Destroyed
Embankments
(KM)
Partially
damaged
embankments
(KM)
Damaged
Forests
(TK)
Damaged
Power
lines (TK)
Damaged
Telecom
munciatio
-
ns (TK)
19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
Number Carpeted Uncarpeted Carpeted Uncarpeted Severely Little (000) (000) (000) (000)
Form for Assessment of loss and damage
57
Form for Assessment of Loss and Damage
Fish
Farms
Damaged Tubewells Pond/Water
Reservoir(Nos)
Boat/Trawler Fishing
Nets
Looms
(In taka)
Others
28 29 30 31 32 33 34
Nos (Tk)
(000)
Deep Shallow Hand
driven
Nos. (Taka)
(000)
Nos Taka
(000)
Nos Taka
(000)
58
59
Session No. 7
Title of the Session: Evaluation and Closing Ceremony
The session will discuss disaster issues focusing more on local disasters, their types,
causes and consequences. From this discussion the participants who are working on
disaster risk reduction issues will get a primary insight into the matter and will be able
to apply the knowledge gained in their respective fields.
Objectives of Lesson : To analyze the training session through active participation of
the trainees.
are able to analyze their learning from the training sessions
are able to identify the potentials and limitations of the training course

Time : 30 minutes

Steps for Conducting Session
1. Describe the objectives of lesson
Method: Lecture
Procedure: the facilitator will explain the objectives of lesson and he will participate in
the discussion if necessary
Time: 5 minutes
2. Conducting training program
Method: Question and answers
Procedure: The facilitator will divide the participants into 2 groups and make the
groups to sit facing each other. He will ask the member of one group to throw questions
to other group on the basis of the knowledge that was learned over past three days. If
he fails to answer any questions then anyone from the group will answer it. This is how
the training program will be analyzed through question and answer. The facilitator may
initiate the participants to take part willingly in the question and answer session to
make it lively and competitive. He will also sum up the score of each group and declare
the winner. Everybody will welcome the winner. Next, if there is anything left for
discussion between the groups it will be discussed again before ending the session with
thanks to all participants
Time: 25 minutes
60
Photo Source:
http://www.jrcb.gov.bd/image/basin_map.jpg
http://www.banglapedia.org/httpdocs/Maps/MN_0131C.GIF
http://www.livingwiththejamuna.com/photos/image003.jpg
http://www.bwdb.gov.bd/kharif_drought.htm
http://lib.pmo.gov.bd/maps/index.html
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:
1991_Bangladesh_Cyclone_29_apr_1991_0623Z.jpg
http://www.islandnet.com/~see/weather/
events/sigcyclonebangladesh.htm
http://www.banglapedia.org/httpdocs/Maps/MN_0131A.GIF
Source: http://www.gisdevelopment.net/magazine/years/2006/oct/images/26_1.jpg
Bibliography:
1. Karim, Rezaul: Right Based Training Module, ActionAid Bangladesh,
2007, Dhaka
2. Karim, Rezaul: Disaster Risk Management Training Manual, Oxfam-GB, 2007
3. Hasan, Mahbub, Akhand, Abdul Matin and Hossain, Mohammad Istiaque, Bangladesh:
Prakritik Bhugol O Poribesh, Bangla Academy, Dhaka, 1995.
4. Chiwaks, Ethlet and Pales, Roger: Participatory Vulnerability Analysis;
A Step by Step Guide; ActionAid International, London
5. Disaster Risk Reduction: A Development Concern, A Scoping Study on Links between
Disaster Risk Reduction, Poverty and Vulnerability, DFID, Development for
International Development Overseas Development Group, London
6. Standing Order on Disaster: ww.dmb.gov.bd/standing%20order%20publication.html
7. United Nations Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction: www.unisdr.or
For Further Information
ActionAid Bangladesh
House # 08, Road # 136, Gulshan-1
Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh
Phone: 9894331, 9894216, 9888006
Webside: www.actionaid.org. www.dipecho-bd.org
Funded by
European Commission Directorate General for Humanitarian Aid (DG ECHO)
Disclaimer: This publication (depends on what it is) has been produced with financial aid of
the European Commission. The views expressed herein should not be taken, in any way, to
reflect the official opinion of the European Commission

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