The rate of deforestation has also been greatly reduced by combined efforts of UN agencies and NGO partners to substitute wood for fuel, liquified petroleum gas, LPG.

UNHCR and BRAC are also working together to improve the quality of life in places like Camp 1W Block D in Cox’s Bazar, by improving the infrastructure including drainage and introducing concrete pathways which will not be washed away in the rainy season.

Retaining walls are being put in place which will ensure slope stability and minimize flood damage in the fragile family homes made of tarpaulins, bamboo and any materials available to weigh down the roof to avoid wind damage.

UNHCR’s focal point for disaster risk reduction, Marina Drazba highlights the importance of these small-scale initiatives to improve the quality of daily life for vulnerable groups including older persons and persons living with disabilities, while supporting an “integrated neighbourhood approach” to disaster risk management.

The importance of these works is clear from the fact that 42,000 people were affected in the camps by landslides and flooding during last year’s monsoon season from June to September. The fear is that the outcome could be much worse if the area is hit by one of the major cyclones which the Bay of Bengal is famous for.

Date:

12 Dec 2019

Sources:

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction - Regional Office for Asia and Pacific (UNDRR AP)

Themes:

Civil Society/NGOs, Community-based DRR, Environment & Ecosystems, Advocacy & Media, Disaster Risk Management

Countries:

Bangladesh, Myanmar