Challenges of Multiscale Planning and Coordination for Natural Disaster Management in Bangladesh

Keywords: Natural Hazard, Social Vulnerability Index, Climate Change Vulnerability, Disaster Risk Reduction
Session Type: Virtual Paper Abstract
Day: Monday
Session Start / End Time: 2/28/2022 11:20 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/28/2022 12:40 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 2

Abstract

Bangladesh is in the pathway of numerous natural disasters several times during the year because of its geographic location. The maximum brunt of all natural disasters are felt in the overpopulated cities of Bangladesh. Most of the cities are not disaster-resilient where one extreme weather event can make the city infrastructure collapse. So, it is important that the cities of Bangladesh be evaluated on how resilient or prepared to deal with natural disasters. In this study, we aim to identify 13 vulnerable cities and identify gaps in their disaster preparedness. This study uses previous assessments and builds an index to assess vulnerability combining climatic and social components. The vulnerability of the cities is assessed using the social vulnerability index (SVI) through the open-source platform QGIS. Anomalies in temperature and rainfall patterns (2000-2020) were also checked for each city. Although Bangladesh gets plenty of humanitarian help, there is a disconnect between the scientists, stakeholders, practitioners. and service providers. Plans exist mostly in reports but less evidence of them being implemented. Ineffective emergency supply chain network plays a major role in limiting the effectiveness of disaster risk reduction in all major cities of Bangladesh.