Dr. Forqan Uddin Ahmed writes for DOT :
Disaster management is concerned with preparing for impact and reducing the risk of disasters. It involves both emergency operations in a disaster as well as the rebuilding society in the aftermath (Tan, 2009). However, analyzing the concept of disaster, it is discovered that managing disaster is concerned with managing vulnerabilities which include five basic phases: prevention, preparedness, emergency response, recovery and mitigation. Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries to natural disasters in the world. Although it is not possible to prevent the incidence of natural disasters, the extent of damages caused could be minimized by taking appropriate measures in advance. Therefore, the government of Bangladesh has adopted disaster management plans and programs with special emphasis on community participation.
Bangladesh is situated in the tropical zone. The country is a beauty of nature but is highly vulnerable to natural hazards such as flood, cyclone, drought, tidal surge, cold wave, earthquake, river bank erosion, arsenic contamination of ground water, water and soil salinity and various forms of pollution due to her geographical location, land characteristics, multiplicity of rivers and monsoon climate (Disaster Management Bureau [DMB], 2008:3). Since independence in 1971, the country has experienced 200 natural disasters causing loss of more than 600,000 lives, millions of livestock and leaving prolonged damage to property, quality of life and livelihoods (Ministry of Foreign Affairs [MoFA], 2006: 7). Hence, disasters should be faced with proper planning and programs with active participation by the affected people in order to reduce the sufferings of people as well as enhance the sustainable development process.
The government of Bangladesh prepared a Draft National Disaster Management Policy in 2008 (DMB 2008) and adopted National Plan for Disaster Management 2010-2015 in 2010. The policy and plans have been developed in tune with the GoB Vision and MoFDM mission to reduce the vulnerability of the people, especially the poor and the disadvantaged, by bringing a paradigm shift in disaster management from traditional response and relief practice to a more comprehensive risk reduction culture.
Disaster management programs in Bangladesh are the combination of both structural and non-structural practices (Asian Disaster Reduction Center n.d. 68-69). Structural practices cover the activities such as construction of cyclone and flood shelters for emergency resort, and erosion of flood protection embankments, sluice gates and regulators as safety measures against inundation by tidal waves, etc. Non-structural practices include preparedness action and strategies, and coordination among the actors involved (GoB, voluntary agencies, civil society, and affected community). It is connected with adoption of disaster management legislation, national disaster management policy, disaster management plan, etc at the national, district, upazila and union levels.
Alternative perspective of disaster management, of which main principle is to incorporate people’s opinion and ensure community participation in every stage of policy cycle, emerged on the backdrop of dominant approach. Bangladesh has given priority on community participation in disaster management. However, there are some limitations in community participation. Social workers could play constructive role to enhance community participation because they have extended networks in communities and are familiar with community resources. They play their role during and post disaster situation operate relief work, coordinate the chaotic situation of disaster, and create access to resources for vulnerable population.
For producing skilled, trained and efficient social workers, universities and academic institution have to incorporate the disaster management issues in their curriculum so that the new generation of social workers handles the disaster situation efficiently. The government has to allocate more funds in disaster management sector; government officials have to give-up bureaucratic attitude and have to be more people-friendly. In addition, appropriate measures have to be taken to make disaster management committees more active in every level.
The writer is a former Deputy Director General and Commandant, Ansar VDP Academy