In Bangladesh flood is a regular phenomenon. During recent years, the intensity of flooding and the accompanying river erosion have increased, rendering the numerous coping mechanisms people have developed over the past decades no longer sufficient. This was tragically highlighted during the devastating floods of 2004.

The existing disaster management structures at a local level lack the financial support and knowledge to be active in significant risk reduction. RRVC therefore aims to strengthen existing local disaster response strategies by increasing local knowledge of risk reduction. Traditionally during flood, people seek refuge in schools, which are generally situated on higher ground. Through this project, educational institutes will be upgraded to become better equipped to serve as flood shelters during times of need. Meetings will be organized with

school management committees to improve facilities such as toilets and drinking water systems. “Flood Volunteer” teams will be formed comprising students, social activists, women leaders, entrepreneurs and business people from the community. They will be trained on how to respond effectively to flood emergencies. The volunteers will share their knowledge on flood preparedness with the community and will receive first-aid training. In remote locations, the volunteer groups will have the capacity to organize local response in emergencies until external assistance arrives.

Kurigram, where the flood component of the project will be implemented, is one of the most flood-affected districts in the country. Since Kurigram is the first entry point of floodwaters in Bangladesh from further upstream, the people of this district are the ones who are first affected by annual flooding. While flood is a common feature of this area, severe river erosion resulting from acute deforestation and regular flooding, increases the distress of the people in this district. ActionAid Bangladesh, in consultation with long-term partners working in Kurigram, has selected specific Upazilas and Unions for implementation of the RRVC project activities. The selected Unions have been identified as the most flood-affected and river erosive areas on a year-to-year basis. The fact that these people are not prepared to recover from disasters quickly makes these communities even more vulnerable.