January 2008The Disaster and Environment Management Unit (DEMU) of Concern Worldwide, Bangladesh has two complementary projects: Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Preparedness for Effective Emergency Response (PEER). Under the emergency context, both the actions work towards a similar vision. DRR basically builds up the preparatory capacities on disaster risk management of the local institutions and community groups at selected geographical regions prone to natural disasters while PEER enhances relief and rehabilitation management and response capacity of 35 selected NGOs situated in the disaster prone areas all over the country. However, in case of emergencies, the unit takes on the lead role at organizational and field level.
DRR (October 2006 - September 2010) works in partnership with 8 local NGOs to deliver community based initiatives in disaster risk reduction.
The PEER project (July 2006 – June 2009) started with Concern GD funding and the PEER interventions facilitated by Concern for its partners have been important in ensuring the preparation for the emergencies in 2007 and also in the implementation of following relief operations. In addition to Concern GD funding, funding from DIPECHO has secured for period of 15 months starting October 2007, this funding will enable more effective implementation of PEER activities.
Emergencies in 2007
2007 has been a significant year for natural disasters in Bangladesh. The country has so far experienced several natural emergencies this year. These are:
Cold wave – During December 06-January 07 Bangladesh experienced a severe cold wave affecting mainly the northern districts of Thakurgaon, Sherpur and Nilphamari. The lowest temperature was recorded 5˚C on January 4, 2007 (the Daily Star), the lowest reported in the last 38 years (2.8˚C recorded in 1968). 118 death cases were reported and in response to the government’s appeal, Concern initiated a warm clothing distribution programme to support 13,421 extreme poor families living within Concern’s target locations. The response was carried out between 12th and 20th January ’07.
Mud-slide and flash-floods - Due to torrential rainfall for over a week, the hilly regions of Chittagong district, SE Bangladesh were badly affected by water-logging and mud slides. 128 fatalities were reported as a result of the mudslides and over 4000 families living in shanties were affected by flooding. Concern, through a local partner organisation Nishkriti, distributed relief materials which included food and non food items to 4,000 extremely poor and affected families.
Seasonal floods – In-country heavy rainfall and excessive water flow from upstream in India and Nepal caused devastating flooding and affected millions of people. These floods occurred in two spells between July and September, flooding areas around the Brahmaputra, Jamuna and Padma basins, affecting over 12 million people in 43 districts. The death toll from diarrhoea, drowning, snakebite and respiratory diseases reached 916 since flooding commenced in July. The damage to agriculture, infrastructure and local resources has impacted on the livelihoods of the poorest families. The second spell destroyed the attempt made by many poor farmers to recover their losses through replanting their crops. The poorest and vulnerable communities became more vulnerable as the floods ruined their agriculture, infrastructure, local resources and livelihood options. Concern’s emergency intervention included a search and rescue operation, dry-food distribution, and other food and non-food relief distributions for 69,500 families. Concern aims to implement a rehabilitation phase starting January 2008 for 26,000 extreme poor families most affected by the floods.
Tropical Cyclone - A tropical cyclone - Sidr on the 15th November caused widespread devastation through the south western coast demolishing houses, crops, and livestock over thousands of square kilometres. According to government updates, the body count of dead is 3,347. It has been unofficially forecast that the dead and missing may be over 10,000. Over 8 million people of over 2 million families have been affected in 200 sub-districts. Over 3 million houses have been totally destroyed, 6 million houses partially damaged and at least 1475 tube-wells damaged. More than 8000 educational institutions have been destroyed. The education sector has been hard hit and academic activities of around 10,000 institutions have been badly set back.
The overall objective of the emergency operations is to contribute to the coping capacity and improvement of the livelihood security (food, shelter and health) of the poorest and vulnerable people affected by the natural disasters and environmental hazards in Bangladesh. Throughout all the responses Concern maintained links with the local govt and non-govt agencies at sub-district, district and national level during operational planning, progress review meetings and other relevant administrative mechanisms.
Emergency coverage: types of programmes & beneficiaries
Financial Summary
