AS THE world observes International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction on October 13, the global call to ‘Fund Resilience, Not Disasters’ carries particular weight for Bangladesh. For a nation that stands at the frontline of climate change, this theme is not a ceremonial slogan but a principle essential to survival and sustainable development. Bangladesh has moved far beyond its past image as a disaster-prone country; today, it is recognised internationally as a leader in resilience-building, underpinned by a culture of collaboration and the unyielding determination of its people.
Bangladesh’s achievements in disaster risk reduction rest upon a pioneering ‘whole-of-society’ approach, which has brought together government institutions, development partners and communities in an intricate web of cooperation. The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief leads this system through policy instruments such as the Standing Orders on Disaster. Yet, what transforms policy into practice is the extensive network of national and international non-governmental organisations, United Nations agencies, consortiums and community-based forums that translate strategy into tangible local action. These actors integrate global expertise with indigenous wisdom, creating a comprehensive safety net that extends from the corridors of national policy to the farthest coastal villages.
This collaborative model operates within two key frameworks: the global Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the national Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100. The Sendai Framework’s core priorities — understanding risk, strengthening governance, investing in resilience and enhancing preparedness — have been effectively localised into national systems. Complementing this, the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 sets out a long-term vision for a safe and climate-resilient delta, embedding disaster risk reduction into all sectors of development. From river dredging and embankment strengthening to climate-smart agriculture, the plan ensures that resilience is not a post-disaster remedy but an integral feature of the nation’s growth trajectory.
The true strength of Bangladesh’s resilience lies within its communities — particularly women, youth and children — who have redefined their roles from passive recipients of aid to active agents of change. Women, long seen as disproportionately affected by disasters, now stand at the forefront of community preparedness. They play leading roles in Community Disaster Management Committees, oversee cyclone shelters, and coordinate early warning dissemination. Their understanding of local vulnerabilities enables effective and inclusive decision-making, ensuring that preparedness strategies are grounded in lived realities.
Bangladesh’s young population has also emerged as a driving force for resilience. Through school-based safety drills, volunteer groups such as the Cyclone Preparedness Programme, and social media advocacy, the youth are fostering a national culture of anticipation and readiness. Children, educated through risk reduction curricula and digital learning tools, act as ambassadors of safety within their own households, bridging intergenerational awareness and responsibility.
A crucial evolution in the country’s disaster risk reduction policy has been the transition from reactive relief to anticipatory action. Harnessing advanced meteorological forecasting and data-driven planning, authorities and communities now intervene before disaster strikes. Pre-emptive cash transfers help vulnerable families purchase essentials; embankments are reinforced ahead of storm surges; and people, along with their livestock, are evacuated to shelters based on early alerts. For a coastal farmer, moving his cattle to a killa (raised mound) in response to a cyclone warning can mean saving his entire livelihood. For a family in a flood-prone region, a timely mobile cash transfer may prevent debt and hunger. Such interventions preserve not only life but dignity, self-reliance, and economic stability.
Despite these advances, critical challenges persist, chief among them the issue highlighted by this year’s global theme: financing resilience. The scale of investment envisioned under the Delta Plan 2100 far exceeds current domestic and international funding commitments. Additionally, while Bangladesh’s collaborative model is a source of strength, it also presents coordination challenges. Overlaps between agencies and occasional service delivery gaps can dilute efficiency. Translating high-level policy commitments into consistent, localised action remains a continuous struggle, particularly in ensuring that marginalised and remote populations are not left behind.
To move forward, Bangladesh must strengthen inter-agency coordination, foster innovative financing mechanisms, such as public-private partnerships and climate funds, and reinforce the capacity of local governments to act as the first responders and decision-makers. Above all, women and youth must be recognised not as beneficiaries but as central architects of resilience-building. Their inclusion in leadership and policy-making is indispensable to the creation of solutions that are equitable, sustainable, and community-owned.
As the world reflects on this International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, Bangladesh offers a powerful example of what can be achieved when vision meets collective action. Its story demonstrates that resilience is not merely a response to adversity but a conscious investment in a future where communities can thrive despite the climate crisis. The journey remains demanding, yet the foundations, built upon collaboration, foresight, and the strength of its people, are enduring.
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Manik Esahak Biswas a social development worker.