CRISIS PROFILE FUND APRIL. 2019 B NGLADESH HAOR FLASH FLOODING

FLASH FLOOD AFFECTED DISTRICTS. APRIL 2017 lash Floods are caused by heavy or excessive rain- O1 HUMANITARIAN & - fall, or upstream flooding, in a short period of time OPERATIONAL CONSTRAINTS over a relatively small area. In flash floods, water Flevels rise and fall rapidly with little or no advance warning. Floods make roads impassable, increase the danger in travelling on Typically, they occur in areas where the upstream basin and crossing rivers, and increase the costs of boat transportation when topography is relatively steep and the concentration time roads cannot be used. This impedes access to key services including of the basin is relatively short, such as the Haor Basin health and education, as well as markets. Assessment of needs and of the northern belt of Bangladesh (, , distribution of aid may be difficult due to bad weather conditions, and Moulvibazar, , Netrakona, Kishoreganj) (BWDB flooding of infrastructure. Flooding almost confines people to their 2014; WMO 2003). Though, geographically, most of the homes and limits mobility, especially for those with disabilities. Agen- haors are situated across six districts in the North-East of cies are unable to provide aid to all people in need due to the scale and Bangladesh, there are as many as 423 small or large haors frequency of disasters. in Bangladesh. Flash floods are most common from April to July and in September-October (WMO 2003). O2 ANTICIPATED IMPACT Flash flooding inundates the Haor Basin for an average of six months every year. During the monsoon season, the Flash floods are a common incident in the Haor region in the pre-monsoon entire Haor region goes underwater and is transformed period, but poor management of the rivers and embankments and the into floodplains for fresh water fishing. The high season- decline in the navigability of the rivers have worsened the situation over ality of the Haor-based economy forces local people to the years. remain out of work for a considerable period time, and as a result, they suffer from food insecurity. It is the barrier SHELTER AND NFIS to sustainable livelihood development. Shelters/houses in the flash flood prone rural areas are not designed to withstand flash flooding. The flash flooding season begins before The frequently encountered effects of widespread and the monsoon; therefore, people who experience damage to their houses during prolonged flooding and waterlogging are disruption of this time are exposed during the monsoon season unless repairs can be managed traffic movement and normal life; damage of structures quickly. Additionally, embankments have encouraged more people to live in certain & infrastructure; destruction of vegetation and aquatic areas as the land inside is fertile; though this meant people are increasingly living habitats; and loss of income potentials. Such disruption in highly vulnerable areas. can lead the vulnerable population to become even The density of population in the islands of the Haor Basin is high and houses more vulnerable. located on the edge of the islands are continually at risk of inundation and erosion. The Haor Basin is estimated to be sinking at between Families in these homes subsequently face the ongoing risk of being displaced. In 2012, it was estimated that 3,000 shelters were destroyed or partially destroyed as l l l 4 mm and 2.1 cm annually because of the down-thrusting METHODOLOGY a result of the flash flooding (Haor Basin JNA 2012). In case of major inundations, under the Shillong massif. This sinking means that annual This Briefing Note has been produced by Start Fund Bangladesh and most families temporarily migrate to nearby schools often staying for several flooding will become more extensive and will be exacer- has been prepared using an ACAPS approved methodology. The note weeks. They usually face severe food shortages and serious issues related to WASH bated by sea level rise (IFAD 2011). In 2012, an estimated aims to understand the overall flash flood situation in the Haor Basin (Haor Basin JNA 2012). 320,000 people out of 2.4 million were affected and in of Bangladesh; and to inform Start Fund Bangladesh members and relevant stakeholders. The note is based on a review of all secondary need of assistance due to early flash flooding in the Haor data available to analysts by date. The Start Fund Bangladesh thanks HEALTH (JNA SE 2012). all those who have contributed to the note and welcomes additional information that could complement a possible update of this report. As many displaced people resort to living under the open sky for pro- tracted periods, they are especially vulnerable to the spread of diseases. Road-side shelters, or Beribandh, are often unhygienic. The number of people OF HAOR HOUSEHOLDS FUND BANGLADESH SUFFERED FROM B NGLADESH 78.9% HAOR FLASH FLOODING FOOD INSECURITY

ACCORDING TO LOCAL NGOS, PRESENT IN THE AFFECTED AREAS, THE MOST AFFECTED ARE: KEY CHARACTERISTICS

KISHOREGANJ SUNAMGANJ SYLHET NETRAKONA HABIGANJ MOULVIBAZAR KEY INDICATORS HABIGANJ KISHOREGANJ MOULVIBAZAR NETRAKONA SUNAMGANJ SYLHET Itna Sunamganj Balaganj Khaliajury Baniachong Borlekha Population density/km² 667 950 625 707 549 732 (2011) Mithamoin Sadar Osmaninagar Mohanganj Bajukar Rajnagar Austagram Shalla Beanibazar Madan Female population 1,050,742 1,479,665 974,334 1,118,336 1,231,862 1,706,334 Karimganj Dirai Biswanath Kendua Male population 1,013,713 1,432,242 1,010,442 944,728 1,111,306 1,236,106 Jamalganj Companiganj Atpara Dakkin Fenchuganj Barhatta % Average source of 20 16 21 20 21 20 drinking water tube well Sunamganj Golapganj Kalmakanda (2011) Bishwamvarpur Gowainghat % Average non-sanitary 86.89 93.34 69.93 90.93 87.83 62.57 Dowarabazar Jainatapur toilet facilities (2011) Dharmapasha Kanaighat Sylhet Sadar % Severely underweight 37.85 41.42 33.78 43.26 47.01 31.83 children (2016) Jagannathpur Zakiganj Thahirpur South Surma % Disability rates 1.47 1.58 1.51 1.48 1.54 1.39

Sources: National statistical systems, Global Population Statistics, UNFPA country profiles, Population Stats, CIA World Factbook, WHO country statistics, World Bank Databank.

suffering acute watery diarrhea is likely to increase. Prominent causes of death the harvest and exacerbate food insecurity locally, and nationally as a big portion PROTECTION and injury are electrocutions from power lines, collapsing walls, and snakebites, of the rice of national requirement have been fulfilled from the crops of Northern and drowning. Bangladesh. As the food supply declines, markets face disruption. Subsequently, Children are vulnerable to exploitation, abuse and violation as they livelihoods are also disrupted, as there is a loss of income opportunities. Inunda- are often found taking shelter with strangers, or found separated or Health risks also are associated with the evacuation of patients, loss of health tion can also cause loss or damage of stored foods (rice, pulse, wheat etc.). unaccompanied. In the event of flooding, the affected population often shelters on workers, and loss of health infrastructure including essential drugs and supplies. higher ground or an embankment to wait until floodwaters recede. Children in these In the mediumterm, infected wounds, complications of injury, poisoning, poor The Haor is subject to sudden flash floods before the main monsoon season and situations are extremely vulnerable and are less likely to receive assistance than mental health, communicable diseases, and starvation are indirect effects of farmers say that they lose their rice crop in one year out of four. This risk of total children in flood shelters are, as they are harder to identify and harder to reach. This flooding. In the long-term, chronic disease, disability, poor mental health, and loss means it is unwise to invest in high levels of inputs. Early flash flooding can have also creates dangerous situations for children, as they are at risk of falling in the water poverty-related diseases including malnutrition are the potential legacy (NIH a devastating impact in the Haor, as there is only one Boro crop planted annually when living on narrow strips of land (Plan International 14/08/2017; WHO 2011). 2010). Post disaster outbreaks can be triggered by damaged water and sanitation (Haor Basin JNA 2012). systems. Diarrhoea, ARI, and skin-eye-ear infections are common health risks. Damage to power sources and loss of electricity raise protection issues, particularly Non-availability of transportation in an around flood affected areas and disrup- for women and children, who risk being exploited in poorly lit areas. Women and girls WASH tion of communication services seriously hinders women’s abilities to access often avoid using latrines, as they do not feel safe using non-gender specific facilities. health facilities for deliveries, post disaster. Toilets are often washed away in the torrent of water. Loss of latrines As a result, they often resort to open defecation near their shelters, or control their may result in open defecation; individuals using unimproved sanitation food and water intake in order to avoid having to use unsegregated WASH facilities; The adverse human health consequences of flooding are complex, far-reaching methods are at higher risk of health issues. The risk of disease is aggravated in this raises further health concerns. and difficult to attribute to the flood event itself. During the 2007 floods in -Bang densely populated areas (WASH Cluster Technical Working Group 01/10/2017). The ladesh, more patients than ever before attended the ICDDR,B health center in water becomes polluted as it mixes with solid waste, clinical waste, silt, contami- LIVELIHOODS for treatments of waterborne diseases. Most of the patients lived in nants, domestic wastes, and other human activities that increase the risk of water- Dhaka city. The center identified Dhaka’s continued population growth, which borne diseases. Stagnant water leads to the creation of breeding sites for disease Flash floods have been a big threat to the livelihoods of the Haor people, has forced increasing numbers of lowincome households to live in areas with vectors that becomes a hazard to health as well as being unsightly and foul smelling. especially share-croppers and landless farmers. 78.9% Haor households poor water and sanitation, as a contributing factor (ALNAP 2008). are suffered from food insecurity mainly because of landlessness, mono-crop culti- Flooding can be caused by either freshwater or saltwater. Each presents specific vation, seasonal unemployment and natural calamities. Flooding is the major cause problems: freshwater carries suspended solids, which leave mud and soil behind of damage to crops, mainly rice crop. Most people living flood prone areas rely on FOOD SECURITY when the floodwaters recede, and saltwater can make water sources unsuitable agriculture and fishing for their livelihoods. Agricultural laborers experience sea- Flooding and heavy rainfall often cause damage to crops, seeds and for sue because of the salinity of the floodwaters. There are no simple treatment sonal unemployment, low demands for labor due to single crop farming, low wage agricultural land, which may impact upon the quality and quantity of methods that can be used to remove salinity from salt water (WASH Cluster). in the lean season (September to October), and high levels of debt. Impacts from THE HAOR BASIN IS A SAUCER SHAPED DEPRESSION, USED DURING THE FUND BANGLADESH DRY PERIOD (DECEMBER TO MID-MAY) FOR AGRICULTURE AND AS A FISHERY B NGLADESH HAOR FLASH FLOODING AREA DURING THE WETPERIOD ( JUNE TO NOVEMBER) (HARVARD 2013).

flooding, followed by unemployment, would further aggravate vulnerability and are vulnerable to damage to their infrastructure, learning environment and In the Haor, women have less access to education, health services, and poverty. Subsequently, livestock is an important sub-sector for the rural landless WASH facilities due to housing a large number of Internally Displaced People employment due to the lack of roads and difficulty of travel by boat or and for small farmers, as it provides employment opportunities and a regular (IDP). Due to physical impediment to access to education, as well as loss and dam- through muddy tracks. This in turn contributes to social barriers (IFAD monthly income through the sale of meat and dairy products (GoB 2008). How- age of learning materials and damage to physical structures, irregular attendance 2011). There are roughly 10% of households that are women-headed in ever, floods often damage fodder, and people are unable to properly feed their becomes a significant problem. Students often drop out as a direct result of the Haor, and almost 90% of them are poor (IFAD 2011). livestock. Additionally, non-agricultural productivity is highly impacted due to floods, with a negligible gender difference; for example, students drop out due inundation of land. to temporary relocation because of the floods, engagement in family income immediately after floods, and early marriage. The Haor Basin is a saucer shaped depression, used during the dry period (December to Mid-May) for agriculture and as a fishery area during the wet period (June to There is correlation between remoteness, social deprivation, and out of school- O3 AGGRAVATING FACTORS November) (Harvard 2013). Flash floods that come from the steep uplands adjacent to children rates. Education in the Haor Basin is disrupted each year during the the region in the Assam and Meghalaya hills range in India cause immense damage flash flooding period, as parents do not let their children attend school due to fear ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES to standing Boro crops, lives, and properties every year (BWDB 2014). of drowning (Haor Basin JNA 2012). While the heavy monsoon downpour may be an apparent reason for the Haor is basically very low lying river basin area below the level of flood plain, recent flash floods in the Haor, many underlying geologic causes con- which is also similar to swamp land covered by water almost six months of a year MARKET ANALYSIS tribute to the flood problem over a long period. starting from the monsoon. These are important fishing grounds and also vital for boro rice cultivation. The major economic sector of income and livelihood is Due to the frequency of natural disasters, and general climatic conditions, agriculture, and it is mainly mono cropping system (Sarma, 2010). But the pecu- rice harvest and yields constantly fluctuate. Disasters can have a strong CLIMATE CHANGE: Water flows, in rivers that come down from the Himalayas, have been liar early flash floods often wash away the standing crops and people lose their impact on long-term market availability and food security. The haor area sig- harvest. Therefore, people are unable to come out of vicious poverty cycle. increasing due to higher rate of glacier melt in the mountain range and nificantly contributes to the national food production, overall food security the Tibetan Plateau, due to global warming. of the country may experience negatively as a consequence. As a result, the price of rice is likely to increase, further exacerbating the food insecurity of NUTRITION DEFORESTATION the flood affected households. Infrastructure is poorly developed, in the Haor Deforestation of steep slopes is assumed to lead to accelerated soil In light of the high pre-existing rates of malnutrition across the coun- Basin, with submersible rural roads providing some connectivity during erosion and landslides during monsoon precipitations. This in turn is try, the nutrition situation could easily and quickly deteriorate after a the dry season and boats the main source of transportation during the flood believed to contribute to devastating floods in the downstream regions such as in disaster and, particularly, increase the vulnerability of children under 5. Factors season. Though markets are usually located on the highest part of the land Bangladesh (The New York Times, 1988). such as insufficient hygiene and inadequate shelter and safe spaces for women to maximise flood resilience, the poor transportation network limits the to breastfeed may negatively impact nutrition. The main causes of under nutri- incentives for increasing production, discourages rural growth, and limits DAMMING tion are inadequate hygiene (hand-washing) and inadequately diversified diets of access to markets (IFAD 2011). Damming of a river reduces the velocity of water flow downstream mothers and young children (KI, Nutrition cluster, 2014). In a disaster, food crops from the dam. As a result of reduced velocity, the sediments carried by and markets are destroyed and/or disrupted resulting in less access to diversi- IMPACT ON CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE the river start to settle down faster on the riverbed, causing riverbed aggradation fied nutritious food leading to inadequate energy and micronutrient intake (KI, and in turn reducing the water carrying capacity of the river (Shalash, 1982). The Nutrition cluster, 2014). Critical infrastructure such as government buildings, schools, health clinics Farakka Barrage on the Ganges has already caused tremendous damage to the ag- often remain inundated for long periods due to stagnant water, and will be riculture, navigation, environment, and hydrodynamic equilibrium in Bangladesh Seasonality remains an important issue in malnutrition. Summer months see (Khalequzzaman, 1989). higher levels of malnutrition, connected with restricted access to food. This continuously at risk to damage and flood inundation unless risk mitigation matches the flooding season, which can lead to increased diarrhoeal diseases, work is undertaken. There are submergible dykes to protect the rice harvest; which in turn is linked to increases in malnutrition. Flooding may not directly and however, these are breached on an annual basis (CDMP 2011). LOCATION AND TYPE OF immediately impact nutrition, but they create situations that increase vulnerabil- HOUSING/INFRASTRUCTURE ity and can lead to a rise in under nutrition in a short amount of time, complicated VULNERABLE GROUPS AFFECTED High-density settlement in low-lying areas, compounded with poorly by factors such as inadequate hygiene, a lack of private and safe spaces for women to breastfeed or feed children, and inaccessibility to nutritious food. Children are at risk of exploitation, abuse and violation. Parents may be constructed housing increases risks of inundation. Generally, in flood- busy collecting relief and restoring livelihoods, therefore children are affected areas, a large percentage of the housing is kutcha, made of cor- often left unattended for long periods which might increase their vulner- rugated iron roofing, walls made of timber planks or corrugated iron, EDUCATION ability and exposure to risks. People with disabilities and older people and bamboo frames, earth floors and clay plinth foundations; these are School buildings are regularly used as collective centres to accommo- find leaving their shelters challenging. Similarly, difficult terrain acts as particularly vulnerable to heavy rains and flooding. An increase in land date people. Past experience has shown that schools used as shelters, a barrier to accessing aid or shelters. dispossession, falling economy and insecurity in the rural regions are OF HOUSEHOLDS FUND BANGLADESH ARE WOMEN-HEADED B NGLADESH 10% 90% HAOR FLASH FLOODING IN THE HAOR OF THEM ARE POOR

a few of the motives for poorer households migrating to newly emerged char TABLE 1 islands, which are highly vulnerable to natural hazards (Gillespie 2010; Raza, Bh- attacharjee, Das 2011). Often inadequate land management processes result in O5 LIMITATIONS, TYPE OF STRUCTURE (%) (CENSUS 2011) poor people building scattered settlements in risky areas with insufficient pro- INFORMATION GAPS DISTRICT Pucka Semi-pucka Kutcha Jhupri tection systems in place (Alam and Collins 2010). Vulnerability is exacerbated for AND NEEDS HABIGANJ 10.37 21.54 65.01 3.09 households in isolated and scattered settlements due to the likely exclusion from preparedness information. KISHOREGANJ 4.49 15.09 78.72 1.70 Even if a flood does not have a great direct impact or result in a large number ◆ Lack of disaster resilient sanitation solutions MOULVIBAZAR 18.84 32.22 46.22 2.71 of casualties, medium term recovery needs may be high due to consequential relevant to the flash flooding prone location. waterlogging. Floods generally affect a wider geographical area than other dis- NETRAKONA 2.56 1 5.96 73.95 7.53 ◆ National surveys are not annual; therefore, asters. Indirect loss is often higher than direct impact. SUNAMGANJ 10.98 15.38 70.42 3.22 at times the data is out of date. 22.68 33.95 41.66 1.71 SYLHET ◆ To understand the impact of a flood requires O4 RESPONSE CAPACITY an in-depth understanding of the underlying vulnerabilities. An agreed list of pre-crisis PREVIOUS SIMILAR DISASTERS LOCAL & NATIONAL RESPONSE CAPACITY baseline data for all the affected areas is difficult to find. Date April 2017 Bangladesh uses both structural (embankments levees, and polders) and non- structural (flood warning and awareness raising) mitigation techniques (Paul ◆ There are very few reports illustrating the Type of flood Flash Flood and Routray 2010). scale of the recovery gap between disasters. No of affected 6 Flash floods are hard to predict. However, in 2013, the Flood Forecasting and ◆ There is a gap in accurate information on districts Warning Centre (FFWC) piloted Flash Flood Warnings in a few stations in the school closure due to floods. Affected population 4,667,623 north east of Bangladesh (FFWC 2014). WHO Bangladesh leads the UN Disaster and Emergency Response Health ◆ Baseline figure for seasonal migration. Worst affected Netrakona, Kishoreganj, Habiganj, Cluster, ensuring the coordination mechanisms with the health sector involving areas Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, Sylhet ◆ Further review should be done on all different UN agencies, NGOs, CBOs, health authorities, donors, and community members. zones affected by different types of flooding. Priority needs Shelter, Wash, Food The Health Cluster responds to both emergencies and to assess health sector of population preparedness activities on an ongoing basis. The Ministry of Health and Family ◆ It is difficult to track the increase in health Welfare (MoHFW) is responsible for the implementation, management, coordi- seeking behaviour and the reasons for health Source: Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council nation and regulation of national health and family planning related activities, seeking behaviour during floods as data on programs, and policies. people accessing GoB and NGO health services In the event of a disaster, the government usually responds with the distribu- is not easy to find. tion of cash and rice for affected communities. The government, in coordination ◆ There is a gap in available data on the impact with the Disaster Management Committees (DMCs), does targeting. Government of floods on nutrition status. distributions are increased with support from development partners (UN and NGO). Local government officials try to coordinate these. ◆ Granulated data on land ownership is unavailable.

POPULATION COPING MECHANISMS ◆ Data on migration (number of people and l Distress selling of assets duration) after each flood is scarce. l Migration to non-affected areas to work (e.g. as agricultural day ◆ Lack of data from previous responses on labour, rickshaw puller, household help & non-agricultural day labour) migration and displacement, including, l Advance selling of labour numbers who migrated as a result of the

l Taking loans from NGOs and Mohajans (local money lenders) disaster and length of time displaced into

and borrowing from relatives collective shelters. l Reduction of meal frequency, meal size, food quality & diversity

THE GOVERNMENT OF BANGLADESH AND INTERNATIONAL FUND BANGLADESH COMMUNITIES MUST PRIORITISE THE QUICK RESTORATION B NGLADESH HAOR FLASH FLOODING OF LIVELIHOODS ACROSS FLOOD-AFFECTED AREAS

O6 LESSONS LEARNED

◆ Cash and Food for work programmes distributed for disaster needs could ◆ Reconstruction of shelters/houses vulnerable members of the community proved to be the most appropriate be sold off commercially after the damaged in the pre/early monsoon (KI Shelter Cluster TWG 2013). intervention in restoring household food monsoon/flood risk period and months needs to take place quickly to ◆  security following the 2007 flood (DFID the income contribute towards a prevent increased vulnerability through Use trusted information sources to share 2007). contingency fund for subsequent the monsoon period. key messages about what to do in the seasonal stockpile requirements (DFID case of a flood. Receiving information ◆ Persons affected by the 2007 floods, 2007). ◆ The Government of Bangladesh and through friends/family, religious leaders, preferred to receive rice and dhal during international communities must prioritise and community leaders are some of the the relief phase, rather than chira and ◆ Cooking fuel is usually an issue after the quick restoration of livelihoods highest trusted sources of information. gur which while meeting instant food natural disasters, particularly floods. across flood-affected areas. They must ◆  needs were perceived as a snack and be more proactive in identifying urgent Use of technical vocabulary leads to therefore not a substitute for cooked ◆ Pregnant or Lactating mothers do food security and livelihoods projects misunderstanding and may divert from food. Dried food aslso seemed to make not often receive any relief related to that will provide income-generating the significance of the message. Warning recipients thirstier and increased their reproductive health care. opportunities for communities, as well as messages work best when reduced to need for drinking water (DFID 2007). re-establish assets. essential information that is regularly ◆ Mobile boat hospitals should be updated and understood by everyone ◆ The process of cooking food during the equipped with all related facilities and ◆ Cash for Work is the most effective way (Roy and Kovordanyi 2015). immediate relief phase was observed trained staff for maternal and infant to target vulnerable households, as only ◆  to act as a communal bonding process health to promote access to safe child the poorest are willing to participate. Cyclone shelters often lack adequate (DFID 2007). birth facilities in the flood affected areas. However, when preparing a Cash for WASH facilities. If toilets are present, Work response, it must be taken into they are frequently located downstairs ◆ Flood-time support to rural pregnant ◆ It would be feasible for the Government account that people with disabilities underneath cyclone shelters. This mothers, especially during the third to stockpile and pre-position supplies and chronic illnesses may be unable to means they risk becoming inundated trimesters, should be augmented of rice and dhal in regional warehouses participate. Cash for Work activities or inaccessible during cyclones. The in lower terrain areas, e.g., in the prior to the start of the monsoons and that concentrate on rebuilding and lack of safe facilities leads to unsanitary and Kurigram districts. utilize these supplies in the event of strengthening embankments must conditions. flooding (DFID 2007). ensure adequate technical supervision ◆ Nutrition sensitive strategies should be ◆ Cyclone Mora (2017) hit during and standards must be agreed by ◆ Given that rice and dhal is more mainstreamed into responses of key Ramadan. Cash based responses should development partners (UNDP 2012). culturally acceptable, distribution sectors. take into account delays that can be traditional foods immediately after any incurred by public holidays as banks ◆ In 2012 in after the flash floods in Sylhet ◆ A policy of distributing all transitional given disaster would improve people’s close. After cyclone Mora, cash based all the markets were functional. This shelter kits to women in the household, well-being, restore social capital and responses to Bangladeshi suffered some implies that if affected households are can unintentionally result in a growth communal coping strategies, and could delays due to Eid given cash grants, they can access all the in child marriage and polygamous reduce logistic costs associated with survival materials (Sylhet JNA 2012). marriages, in order to receive more kits preparing and distributing dry food (KI Shelter Cluster TWG 2013). rations (DFID 2007). ◆ In flash flood prone areas raised seedbeds will have a significant impact ◆ Transitional shelter responses do ◆ In addition, surplus stockpiled in preventing losses (Sylhet JNA 2012). not often involve landless families, commodities of rice and dhal not consequently excluding the most l l l ANY QUESTIONS? Please contact our Start Fund Bangladesh analyst, Lamiya Mahpara Ahmed E: [email protected] T: +88 018 8208 6237