The initiative to work in an Consortium has great potential and it could become central to the formation of a wider humanitarian network. The reason is that it becomes an opportunity, both for donors and for government and communities, to encourage better-coordinated actions, which also have a greater strategic value.
Lilian Reyes Pando
ECB Bolivia Field Facilitator 2009
Consortium lead: Oxfam GB
Bangladesh
On average, 10 million people are affected by disasters annually in Bangladesh. In many parts of the country, natural disasters hinder progress. Its particular land characteristics, multiplicity of rivers, monsoon climate, and susceptibility to cyclones make Bangladesh highly vulnerable to disasters.
The Bangladesh Consortium includes members CARE, Concern, CRS, Oxfam, World Vision and Save the Children (the lead agency in this Consortium). In addition to participating in government and UN-led disaster coordination in Bangladesh, these agencies meet regularly to coordinate around equity, geographic reach and other issues related to humanitarian response. This coordination was first actioned after cyclone Sidr and most recently in order to respond to cyclone Aila (25th May 2009). The member agencies reviewed their joint response after three months and now one year on they are re-focusing the government, NGO and media attention on the need to swiftly rebuild the embankments in the worst affected areas before more Cyclone's hit this region. To find out more read our Cyclone Aila Policy Brief, Policy dialogue press release (in Bangla and English) and journalist testimonies one year after Cylone Aila struck across southern coastal regions.
Contact us to find out more about the how the ECB team in Bangladesh are working now to influence the latest draft of the Disaster Management Act before it is passed by the government in 2010.
In partnership with the United Nations Development Program, the government of Bangladesh is currently implementing the Comprehensive Disaster Management Program (CDMP) to strengthen the capacity of the Bangladesh disaster management system. While CDMP has a holistic risk management strategy, it requires further support to incorporate a strong focus on preparedness and risk reduction. CDMP expressed interest in working collaboratively with Consortium partners. Together, they will work towards the goal of increasing the reach, quality, consistency and accountability of disaster preparedness and risk reduction interventions in Bangladesh.
By working with and through the government and with CDMP to implement interventions at a national scale, the Consortium expects its work will benefit the entire population of Bangladesh, an estimated 144 million people.
Discover the detail behind an Accountability during Emergencies training that included a large group of agencies and Accountability field staff.
ECB hosts a HAP / SPHERE review in Dhaka.
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