NGO’s role in Cyclone Disaster management of Bangladesh: focusing cyclone Sidr in Patuakhali

Abstract

Bangladesh is one of the most natural disaster prone countries. Over the last 40 years many cyclones have affected the country accompanied with loss of lives and property. Recently it’s visiting frequency increase so rapidly, which attract my concern to study on this sector. The low-lying coastal areas are particularly vulnerable, thus placing these population, infrastructure, agriculture, livestock and economic development in a high-risk situation. Cyclone disaster mitigation is a major concern in Bangladesh. The role of NGOs, especially with relief and rehabilitation programs, during and after disasters is to complement governmental efforts in Bangladesh. In principle, NGOs are responsible to assist the government in implementing national programs successfully. This study aims to assess the efforts of NGOs in cyclonic disaster management in Bangladesh. Coastal belts as cyclone disaster prone areas were included mostly for analysis. Study focused on response, recovery, rehabilitation, and affected community people. Cyclone SIDR (and the associated response) has been selected as the basis for this research and CARE Bangladesh and BRAC were included mainly for the study. Data were collected based on both primary and secondary sources. Both qualitative and quantitative research approach were applied for the study. Role of CARE Bangladesh and BRAC to SIDR disaster management especially with emergency response, recovery, and rehabilitation activities was significant. Presently, NGOs are giving emphasis on work with preventive measures as a strategy of disaster risk reduction.