Cyclone Sidr and Its Aftermath: Everyday Life, Power and Marginality

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Cyclone Sidr and Its Aftermath: Everyday Life, Power and Marginality Durham E-Theses Cyclone Sidr and Its Aftermath: Everyday Life, Power and Marginality NADIRUZZAMAN, MD. How to cite: NADIRUZZAMAN, MD. (2012) Cyclone Sidr and Its Aftermath: Everyday Life, Power and Marginality, Durham theses, Durham University. Available at Durham E-Theses Online: http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/5261/ Use policy The full-text may be used and/or reproduced, and given to third parties in any format or medium, without prior permission or charge, for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-prot purposes provided that: • a full bibliographic reference is made to the original source • a link is made to the metadata record in Durham E-Theses • the full-text is not changed in any way The full-text must not be sold in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders. Please consult the full Durham E-Theses policy for further details. Academic Support Oce, Durham University, University Oce, Old Elvet, Durham DH1 3HP e-mail: [email protected] Tel: +44 0191 334 6107 http://etheses.dur.ac.uk Cyclone Sidr and Its Aftermath: Everyday Life, Power and Marginality Md. Nadiruzzaman This PhD research is about power struggle and marginality in peoples’ everyday life in the aftermath of the cyclone Sidr. This research explores how everyday vulnerabilities of a coastal community, which is ignored in the powerful knowledge framing, limit peoples’ ability to withstand a cyclone. It reiterates the idea that the conditionality, which makes an individual, a group or a community susceptible to a natural event, is a legacy of our engagement with the environment and, thus, scrutinise our knowledge on that particular event. From a theoretical interest in environment- society studies, my work strives to understand affected communities’ quotidian experiences of their livelihoods, after being affected by Cyclone Sidr, through rebuilding, relief support, access to natural resources in land, water and forest, alternative income opportunities, patron-client networks, and local power dynamics. The whole research is based on an ethnographic account in three proximate villages, Gabtola, Mazer Char and Sonatola Model Village, adjacent to the Sundarbans. This research examines the following research questions – i) How are communities’ everyday livelihoods, mediated through their broader societal, political and economic networks, informing their ability to cope with a cyclone event, and thus connected with cyclone knowledge?; ii) How are the complex interface of environmental change, livelihood options and power dynamics reciprocally linked with cyclone rhetoric?; and iii) Whose views are reflected in the development of cyclone knowledge and practice in Bangladesh? Being a native Bengali speaker, knowing local dialects, having previous work experience of academic research on disadvantaged and rural communities, power dynamics and development, I was in an advantageous position to carry out this highly sensitive work. This research contributes to the idea of vulnerability and resilience by portraying the importance of considering local power dynamics in shaping environment-society relationship. In addition, this research also enlightens on local development and economic aspects through unpacking issues in regard to relief and rehabilitation, fishing and forest use. These theoretical contributions, reciprocally, back up methodological underpinnings of it. More importantly, this research explores the interface of cyclone, power and livelihoods and echoes voices of marginal people with a view to them having their space in policies. Cyclone Sidr and Its Aftermath: Everyday Life, Power and Marginality This dissertation is submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Geography Md. Nadiruzzaman Department of Geography, Durham University, August 2012. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract ................................................................................................................................... i Table of Contents ............................................................................................................. iii-vi List of Tables ........................................................................................................................ vii List of Figures ................................................................................................................. viii-ix List of Abbreviations ......................................................................................................... x-xi Glossary of Terms ........................................................................................................... xii-xiv Declaration of Authorship and Copyright ............................................................................ xv Acknowledgements ...................................................................................................... xvi-xvii Dedication .......................................................................................................................... xviii Chapter One: Statement of the Problem ............................................................................ 1-12 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 1 Cyclones in Bangladesh ............................................................................................................................... 3 Cyclone Sidr ................................................................................................................................................... 5 My Research Area ......................................................................................................................................... 7 Aims and Objectives .................................................................................................................................... 7 Organisation of the Thesis ........................................................................................................................ 10 Chapter Two: Theoretical Framework ............................................................................. 13-29 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 13 What is Resilience? ..................................................................................................................................... 13 Problematising Scientific Framing in Hazard Research ....................................................................... 17 Defining Vulnerability ................................................................................................................................ 20 Marginality ................................................................................................................................................... 25 My Approach ............................................................................................................................................... 27 Chapter Three: Methodology ........................................................................................... 30-45 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 30 Initial Thoughts Before Going to the Field............................................................................................ 32 My Gatekeepers .......................................................................................................................................... 32 Pilot Study .................................................................................................................................................... 33 Study Area .................................................................................................................................................... 35 Research Practicalities ................................................................................................................................ 38 Positionality ............................................................................................................................................. 39 Research Assistant .................................................................................................................................. 40 Recording Interviews ............................................................................................................................. 40 iii Methods ........................................................................................................................................................ 42 Observation ............................................................................................................................................. 42 Interview and Focus Group .................................................................................................................. 43 Data Manipulation .................................................................................................................................. 44 Limitations of the Study ............................................................................................................................ 44 Ethical Issues and Risk Analysis .............................................................................................................
Recommended publications
  • Delineating the Service Area Of
    J. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 44(2): 137-148, December 2018 DELINEATING THE SERVICE AREA OF CYCLONE SHELTER AND VULNERABLE HOUSEHOLDS USING NETWORK ANALYST TOOL: A CASE STUDY ON SOUTHKHALI UNION OF BAGERHAT DISTRICT, BANGLADESH KHANDAKER TANVIR HOSSAIN* AND MD. HAFIZUR RAHMAN Department of Geography and Environment, Jagannath University, Dhaka-1100, Bangladesh Abstract In Southkhali Union of Bagerhat district in Bangladesh about 47% of the total population is living beyond the service area of cyclone shelters (CS) not only for the carrying capacity of CS but also for the accessibility. Location-allocation tool of Network Analyst tool in ArcGIS determined the service area of each CS in the study area based on its shelter capacity and accessibility. People residing outside the service area of cyclone shelter are highly vulnerable due to low elevation of land and poor housing structure. The location-allocation tool of Network Analyst provided the proper evacuation plan that would identify the shelter location for each household or cluster of population and the evacuation route also. It would also help to find the proper location to build new shelters for unserved community. Key words: Accessibility, Network analysis, Service area, Vulnerable households, Location- allocation tool Introduction Bangladesh is the sixth most disaster prone countries of the world where 97.7% of the total population of 97.1% area are at risk of multiple natural calamities including cyclones (World Bank 2015). Cyclone and storm surge are the most devastating among all the disasters in Bangladesh which devastates lives and properties in coastal areas. Geographic location, the unique natural setting of the country and its tropical monsoon climate make the country more vulnerable to cyclones and storm surges (Paul 2009).
    [Show full text]
  • Standing Orders Disaster
    Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Standing Orders on Disaster Ministry of Food and Disaster Management Disaster Management & Relief Division Disaster Management Bureau April 2010 Message I welcome the initiative of the Disaster Management Bureau (DMB) to publish the revised Standing Orders on Disaster (SOD) aiming at ensuring every possible preparedness measure and reducing disaster risks. The SOD was first introduced in 1997 during our previous tenure in office. We are happy that the revised version of the SOD is being published now in accordance with the changed circumstances. The revised SOD has reflected the vision of the government and clearly outlines the role and responsibilities of the ministries, divisions, agencies, organizations, committees, public representatives and citizens to cope with any natural disaster. I hope that the DMB and Disaster Management and Relief Division in cooperation with other stakeholders will materialize the government commitments for disaster risk reduction and emergency response issues in line with SOD. The SOD, I believe, will play an important role in disaster management and disaster risk reduction in the country. Joi Bangla, Joi Bangabandhu May Bangladesh Live Forever Sheikh Hasina ii FOREWORD Bangladesh is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. The country has had a long experience of severe cyclonic events, floods, landslides, arsenic poisoning, tornadoes, and is under threat from earthquakes. The country is also highly vulnerable to climate change, which is also threat for livelihoods and food security. Government of Bangladesh has had the Standing Orders on Disaster (SOD) in effect since 1997. Considering the adverse impact of climate change and the recommendation of the World Conference on Disaster Reduction 2005, the updating of the SOD was essential.
    [Show full text]
  • A Professional Journal of National Defence College Volume 17
    A Professional Journal of National Defence College Volume 17 Number 1 April 2018 National Defence College Bangladesh EDITORIAL BOARD Chief Patron Lieutenant General Chowdhury Hasan Sarwardy, BB, SBP, BSP, ndc, psc, PhD Editor-in-Chief Air Commodore M Mortuza Kamal, GUP, ndc, psc, GD(P) Editor Colonel (Now Brigadier General) A K M Fazlur Rahman, afwc, psc Associate Editors Brigadier General Md Rafiqul Islam, SUP, ndc, afwc, psc Lieutenant Colonel A S M Badiul Alam, afwc, psc, G+, Arty Assistant Editors Assistant Director Md Nazrul Islam Lecturer Farhana Binte Aziz ISSN: 1683-8475 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electrical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher. Published by the National Defence College, Bangladesh Design & Printed by : ORNATE CARE 87, Mariam Villa (2nd Floor), Nayapaltan, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh Cell: 01911546613, E-mail: [email protected] DISCLAIMER The analysis, opinions and conclusions expressed or implied in this Journal are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the NDC, Bangladesh Armed Forces or any other agencies of Bangladesh Government. Statement, fact or opinion appearing in NDC Journal are solely those of the authors and do not imply endorsement by the editors or publisher. iii CONTENTS Page College Governing Body vi Vision, Mission and Objectives of the College vii Foreword viii Editorial ix Faculty and Staff x Abstracts xi
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Component-4 Adaptation Strategies of GO
    Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Component-4 Adaptation strategies of GO and NGOs combating climate change impacts: a study on perception of communities in the coastal areas Principal Investigator Dr. Ishrat Islam Department of Urban & Regional Planning Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) Co-Investigator Dr. Md. Shakil Akhter Department of Urban & Regional Planning Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) 4-i TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................... 4-iii LIST OF FIGURES .............................................................................................................. 4-v ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................................ 4-vi ABSTRACT ......................................................................................................................... 4-vii CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................... 4-1 1.1 Background of the Study ............................................................................................... 4-1 1.2 Objectives of the Study ................................................................................................. 4-2 1.3 Study Area Selection ..................................................................................................... 4-2 CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW ..........................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Functions, Roles and Duties of Police in General
    Chapter 1 Functions, Roles and Duties of Police in General Introduction 1. Police are one of the most ubiquitous organisations of the society. The policemen, therefore, happen to be the most visible representatives of the government. In an hour of need, danger, crisis and difficulty, when a citizen does not know, what to do and whom to approach, the police station and a policeman happen to be the most appropriate and approachable unit and person for him. The police are expected to be the most accessible, interactive and dynamic organisation of any society. Their roles, functions and duties in the society are natural to be varied, and multifarious on the one hand; and complicated, knotty and complex on the other. Broadly speaking the twin roles, which the police are expected to play in a society are maintenance of law and maintenance of order. However, the ramifications of these two duties are numerous, which result in making a large inventory of duties, functions, powers, roles and responsibilities of the police organisation. Role, Functions and Duties of the Police in General 2. The role and functions of the police in general are: (a) to uphold and enforce the law impartially, and to protect life, liberty, property, human rights, and dignity of the members of the public; (b) to promote and preserve public order; (c) to protect internal security, to prevent and control terrorist activities, breaches of communal harmony, militant activities and other situations affecting Internal Security; (d) to protect public properties including roads,
    [Show full text]
  • Issue Paper BANGLADESH POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS DECEMBER 1996-APRIL 1998 May 1998
    Issue Papers, Extended Responses and Country Fact Sheets file:///C:/Documents and Settings/brendelt/Desktop/temp rir/POLITICAL... Français Home Contact Us Help Search canada.gc.ca Issue Papers, Extended Responses and Country Fact Sheets Home Issue Paper BANGLADESH POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS DECEMBER 1996-APRIL 1998 May 1998 Disclaimer This document was prepared by the Research Directorate of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada on the basis of publicly available information, analysis and comment. All sources are cited. This document is not, and does not purport to be, either exhaustive with regard to conditions in the country surveyed or conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. For further information on current developments, please contact the Research Directorate. Table of Contents MAP GLOSSARY 1. INTRODUCTION 2. KEY POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS 2.1 Prosecution of 1975 Coup Leaders 2.2 Ganges Water Sharing Agreement 2.3 General Strikes and Restrictions on Rallies 2.4 Elections 2.5 Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Peace Treaty 3. LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS 3.1 Law Reform Commission 3.2 Judicial Reform 1 of 27 9/16/2013 3:57 PM Issue Papers, Extended Responses and Country Fact Sheets file:///C:/Documents and Settings/brendelt/Desktop/temp rir/POLITICAL... 3.3 National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) 3.4 Special Powers Act (SPA) 4. OPPOSITION PARTIES 4.1 Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) 4.2 Jatiya Party (JP) 4.3 Jamaat-e-Islami (Jamaat) 5. FURTHER CONSIDERATIONS REFERENCES MAP See original. Source: UNHCR Refworld
    [Show full text]
  • Comprehensive Report on IWD Celebration 2021
    “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world.” A Report On International Women’s Day, 2021, Celebration National Girl Child Advocacy Forum (NGCAF) Background: To uphold women’s rights and to ensure their empowerment, International Women’s Day has been being celebrated since 1910. In the mean time, significant development of women has taken place; but at the same time they are facing a lot of problems. There still presence gender discrimination and violence. Real women empowerment is not taking place in Bangladesh due to male dominated society and space for equity. Women participation in social sector, especially in political and economical sectors, is still low. Due to absence of social justice, women are being victims of child marriage, rape and sexual harassment etc. According to the findings from 2019 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) child marriage still remains widely accepted by 51.4 per cent of women aged 20-24 years who married first before their 18th birthday. Also15.5 per cent of women first married before their 15th birthday. The high rate of child marriage continues to cast a negative spell on the educational and physical wellbeing of girl children in Bangladesh. Government of the Bangladesh is also giving emphasis on women empowerment. In this concern national women development policy-2011 and prevention of women and child repression Act-2003 (Amendment-2020) including gender friendly laws and orders have been formulated in the last recent years. Despite taking these initiatives, women have to fight for their rights still. In order to achieve SDGs, gender equity and women participation in decision making process is must.
    [Show full text]
  • National Security Laws and Measures: the Impacts on Indigenous Peoples
    NATIONAL SECURITY LAWS & MEASURES THE IMPACTS ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES 108 Moo 5, Tambon Sanpranate, Amphur Sansai, Chiang Mai 50210, Thailand www.aippnet.org,www.iva.aippnet.org,Asia Indigenous www.ccmin.aippnet.org, Peoples Pact (AIPP) www.iphrdefenders.net E-mail: [email protected] B a n g l a d e s h I n d i a T h a i l a n d P h i l i p p i n e s 1 National Security Laws & Measures: Impacts on Indigenous Peoples Copyright ©Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact August 2014 INDIGENOUS PEOPLES HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS NETWORK All rights reserved. The Indigenous Peoples Human Rights Defenders Network (IPHRD Net) is a platform for solidarity, coordination and support among indigenous human rights defenders and their organi- Contributing writers: Mangal Kumar Chakma [Bangladesh], Chonchuruinmayo Luithui [India], zations. Through the IPHRD Net, indigenous peoples human rights defenders can more effec- Beverly Longid [Philippines], Ekachai Pinkaew [Thailand] tively address human rights issues and violations wherever these occur by working with other indigenous peoples organisations, other human right organisations, and with regional and inter- Editor: Maria Ima Carmela L. Ariate national human rights mechanisms and bodies. Design and lay-out: Maria Ima Carmela L. Ariate and AIPP Printing Press THE FUNCTIONS OF THE IPHRDS NET ARE AS FOLLOWS: Photo credits: all photos were provided by the contributor for each country study 1. Mechanism for exchange of information and updates relating to human rights Publisher: of indigenous peoples Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP) Foundation 2. Facilitation of technical, logistics and other forms of support 108 Moo 5 Tambon Sanpranate 3.
    [Show full text]
  • JJS Annual Report 2017
    2017-2018 34 years in development 2017-2018 34 years in development Editor: ATM Zakir Hossain Co-Editor: Sheikh Nazmul Huda Kazi Faisal Islam Published By: Jagrata Juba Shangha (JJS) Published on: June 2018 Photo Credit: JJS Archive Printed by: Procharoni Printing Press 01711-275484 Graphics Design: Sekhar Kumar Biswas, Anckur A JJS Publication 02 Foreword I am very glad that Jagrata Juba Shangha (JJS) has reached its 35 birthday with enormous remarkable accomplishments; though it is little in the ocean where much more work is left dropping. Considering all the completed and unaccompanied works, JJS has consecutively published its annual report this year, 2019. Like wise in the past years, JJS is chasing towards its objectives successively without any exception. However, the world is still at great risk due to climate change, disasters, diseases, human rights violations, hunger, poverty, malnutrition, inequality, over-extraction and unplanned extraction of resources, environmental pollution, misuse and abuse of technology and many more issues. Despite limitless problems, unbounded initiatives are taken world wide to save the mother earth. Considering this point, JJS emphasizes workingin association with government and international development organizations in a sustainable manner. The focus area of JJS covers the sectors which are essential for the betterment of today's world that include Human Rights, Climate Change adaptation strategies and interventions, disaster risk reduction, WASH, Food Security, Child Rights, and Protection along with gender mainstreaming and empowerment. More specifically, JJS has been working to develop a climate resilience society in the south west coastal areas of Bangladesh so that people can survive for long in a sustainable way.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016
    Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2016 Editor: ATM Zakir Hossain Co-Editor: M M Chisty Sheikh Nazmul Huda Published By: Jagrata Juba Shangha (JJS) Published on: November, 2017 Documentation Support & Photo Credit: JJS Archive Printed by: Procharoni Printing Press 01711-275484 Graphic Design Shekar Kumar Biswas Anckur, Khulna 02 Foreword JJS is a national level, non-political, non-profitable and non-government right based environmental and social development organization.Starting the journey in 1985, it is putting efforts for establishing rights of children, poor people, women, adolescents, and disasterand climate change vulnerable people. Through all its works, JJS emphasizes on governance and human rights; Environment and Food Sovereignty; child protection and disable people's rights; Climate Change and disaster management. In terms of programme achievements the year2016 was a successful one as it's successfully brought its issues of advocacy at national level. At the Daily Star Seminar Hall JJS organized national seminar on diversion where honorable Supreme Court justice Sheikh Hassan Arifrequested all the stakeholders present to work for promotion of diversion for protection of children in conflict with law. In another national level event the Director General of Disaster Management Department asked stakeholders for effective coordination among the disaster actors, the other important recommendation was to strengthen supportive linkage among different layers of Disaster Management Committees in the country. The other important milestone of the year is working with vulnerable communities in the Jamuna/Brahmaputra basin area for inclusion of their issues in river management policies and we organized an event initiating the senior secretary of the water resources ministry and other national level stakeholders at BRAC Center, Dhaka.
    [Show full text]
  • Security Provision in Bangladesh a Public Perceptions Survey
    EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Security in South Asia Security provision in Bangladesh A public perceptions survey March 2010 Mitra and Associates is a pioneer private sector survey-research firm of Bangladesh. Established in 1983, it has gradually grown to be a most sustainable and dependable organisation in the country for quantitative and qualitative research, evaluation and surveys predominantly in the fields of health, population, nutrition and communication/media. Saferworld works to prevent and reduce violent conflict and promote co-operative approaches to security. We work with governments, international organisations and civil society to encourage and support effective policies and practices through advocacy, research and policy development and through supporting the actions of others. COVER PHOTO: A policeman watches over people waiting in line to vote during the 2008 general election, Bangladesh, December 2008. © GMB AKASH / PANOS PICTURES. Saferworld Mitra and Associates The Grayston Centre 2/17 Iqbal Road 28 Charles Square Mohammadpur London N1 6HT Dhaka-1207 UK Bangladesh Phone: +44 (0)20 7324 4646 Phone: +880-2-8118065 Fax: +44 (0)20 7324 4647 +880-2-9115503 Email: [email protected] Fax: +880-2-9126806 Web: www.saferworld.org.uk Email: [email protected] Web: www.mitrabd.com Registered charity no. 1043843 A company limited by guarantee no. 3015948 ISBN 978–1–904833–45–1 Security provision in Bangladesh A public perceptions survey SAFERWORLD MARCH 2010 Acknowledgements This executive summary is from a report which represents an analysis of primary research commissioned by Saferworld in Bangladesh during 2009. The household survey was conducted by Mitra and Associates, key informant interviews were carried out by Md Bin Kashem and validation workshops were conducted by Hifzur Rahman.
    [Show full text]
  • Les Forces Paramilitaires Ansar Et Village Defence Party (VDP)
    BANGLADESH 26 juin 2017 Les forces paramilitaires Ansar et Village Defence Party Avertissement Ce document a été élaboré par la Division de l’Information, de la Documentation et des Recherches de l’Ofpra en vue de fournir des informations utiles à l’examen des demandes de protection internationale. Il ne prétend pas faire le traitement exhaustif de la problématique, ni apporter de preuves concluantes quant au fondement d’une demande de protection internationale particulière. Il ne doit pas être considéré comme une position officielle de l’Ofpra ou des autorités françaises. Ce document, rédigé conformément aux lignes directrices communes à l’Union européenne pour le traitement de l’information sur le pays d’origine (avril 2008) [cf. https://www.ofpra.gouv.fr/sites/default/files/atoms/files/lignes_directrices_europeennes.pdf ], se veut impartial et se fonde principalement sur des renseignements puisés dans des sources qui sont à la disposition du public. Toutes les sources utilisées sont référencées. Elles ont été sélectionnées avec un souci constant de recouper les informations. Le fait qu’un événement, une personne ou une organisation déterminée ne soit pas mentionné(e) dans la présente production ne préjuge pas de son inexistence. La reproduction ou diffusion du document n’est pas autorisée, à l’exception d’un usage personnel, sauf accord de l’Ofpra en vertu de l’article L. 335-3 du code de la propriété intellectuelle. Bangladesh : Les forces paramilitaires Ansar et Village Defence Party Table des matières 1. Origines ........................................................................................................ 3 2. Formation, fonctions et effectifs ................................................................... 4 1. Formation et recrutement .............................................................................. 4 2. Fonctions et effectifs ....................................................................................
    [Show full text]