VOLUNTARISM AND DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

Ministry of Disaster Management & Relief

VOLUNTARISM AND DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

February 2013

Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme (CDMP II)

Prone to disasters, and now climate change Frequently hit by various natural disasters affecting lives and livelihoods.

Climate change exacerbates the frequency and intensity.

Tradition of resilience Vulnerable people demonstrates strong coping capacities.

Government and NGOs are adept to disasters.

Perfecting the art of disaster governance: sophisticated regulatory framework, institutional mandate, financing and programmatic arrangements.

Long and strong tradition of voluntarism.

NATIONAL DISASTER CONTEXT



http://www.academicjournals.org/ingoj/pdf/pdf2011/Nov/Haider.pdf

http://www.bbs.gov.bd/webtestapplication/userfiles/image/keyfinding/key%20findings_Survey_Volunteerism.pdf

VOLUNTARISM = 1.7% GDP

Deep rooted tradition Socio-cultural and religious virtues.

Historically rooted from major disasters, impacts of the independence war, and the persistent poverty.

Growing from relief, to micro credits/initiatives, to professionalization and policy influence.

Contributing 2 Bn hours, BDT 117 Bn ; or 1.7% GDP BBS Surveyed 44,000 HHs, 6 divisions, 16,500 pax in 2009- 10

76%(M), 24 (F)

74%(Rural) 26%(Urban)

Rate: 27%(M) 8.4(F) – total 17.5%

Types: 88.8%(informal), 10% (formal), 1.5%(both)

Of the informal: 72% (non-gov NPI) 10%(gov NPI) 4.3 (NGO)



CYCLONE PREPAREDNESS PROGRAMME (CPP) A TRUE VOLUNTEERISM PROGRAMME





CPP - BRIEFS

Vision

Reduce the risk & loss of life and assets from the cyclonic storms.

Objectives

Build up volunteers’ teams to strengthen preparedness and prompt response network; to strengthen warning signals and prompt and effective community response to the cyclone signals.

History

After the 1970 super cyclone the UNGA requested the Red Cross to lead in pre-disaster planning including the Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP), The GoB approved and undertook the recurring financial responsibility and setup a joint programme management mechanism.

Structure

Head Office in Dhaka, 7 zonal offices, each has Upazila offices, each has Union offices, each has some Units, each has 15 volunteers for 5 posts (Warning Signal, Shelter, Rescue, First Aid and Relief), each unit covers 2 km area.

Activities

Public awareness and education during normal times; early warning in the impending, and response during the onset of cyclones



STATE OF PLAY

CDMP supports Rapidly establishing 6 Upazilas in 2 Districts that are “newly” affected by cyclones.

Trained 6,500 volunteers.

Established offices and provided equipment and gears.

To be broadened to five other Upazilas.

Overall CPP Achievements Dramatically decreasing the absolute number of deaths from half

million in 70’s; to 130,000 in the 90’s; to 3,000 in 2007, and 113 in 2009.

CPP volunteers are well accepted and honored in the community.

Some 50,000 volunteers providing their service.

Volunteers extending welfare and relief activities.

People’s positive attitude to the cyclone shelter.

Promote the roles of female Volunteers.

THE URBAN VOLUNTEER ANOTHER PROGRAM OF VOLUNTEERISM





REPLICATING CPP TO THE CITIES

In one hand Fast & unplanned urbanization at 4.5 to 6 % annually.

Deadly combination: seismic hazards & bad buildings.

Dangerous cities: overcrowded, clogged, hazardous.

Gaps in public services & protection.

In the other hand The good example of CPP.

Professionalizing first responders by FSCD.

GoB wants 62,000 volunteers over the years



THE URBAN VOLUNTEER

Key objectives To provide the necessary knowledge and build skills towards pro-active role in saving lives and reduce damages from disasters.

Purpose Expanding the first response capabilities, establish network of supports; enhanced public protection credibility.

Strategies Sound governance – attached to FSCD, well trained, well equipped, engaged.

Progress CDMP is committed to provide 32,000 by 2014, so far achieved 14,000.



THE URBAN VOLUNTEER

Engagement All types of disastrous incident i.e. fire, landslide, road accident, collapsed structure.

Role Awareness raising.

Pre-incident activities.

Pre-hospital treatment.

Facilitate the access of FSCD vehicle to incident place.

Identify available resources and sources – water source.

Support FSCD staffs during emergency.

volunteers activated all types of incident like fire, landslide, road accident, collapsed

structures etc. They play role on awareness program. They are now able to minimize the

pre incident activities & provide pre-hospital treatment of the casualties. Volunteers

provided remarkable support to secure FSCD vehicle in incident place. Volunteers can

indentify water sources in their areas for fire fighting purpose. Ensure the location of the

incident place. Actively participated with FSCD professional during emergency.

Volunteers took part in various kind of national & international days , workshops, rallies

and seminars

COMMUNITY BASED VOLUNTEER LANDSLIDE – TEKNAF AND COX’S BAZAR MUNICIPALITY



COMMUNITY BASED VOLUNTEER LANDSLIDE HAZARD MANAGEMENT – TEKNAF AND COX’S BAZAR MUNICIPALITY



CDMP II supported DatEx-ADPC Joint Venture to develop Community Based Volunteers in Teknaf and Cox’s Bazaar Municipality area to Introduce Community-based Early Warning System as per Landslide Hazard Management initiative.

COMMUNITY BASED VOLUNTEER LANDSLIDE HAZARD MANAGEMENT – TEKNAF AND COX’S BAZAR MUNICIPALITY



A total of 59 volunteers and facilitators have been developed, 43 from Cox’s Bazar and 16 from Teknaf Municipality. They are given necessary trainings, tools, and now they are fully operational in the area.



Thank you

For more information contact:


United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Disaster Management & Relief Bhaban (6th Floor)

92-93 Mohakhali C/A, Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh

Tel: (+88 02) 989 0937, 882 1255 I Website: www.cdmp.org.bd

Documents

VOLUNTARISM AND DISASTER RISK REDUCTION