BANGLADESH Disaster Management Reference Handbook May 2020 Acknowledgements CFE-DM would like to thank the following people for their knowledge and support in developing this resource: Lieutenant Colonel (Dr) Md Fakhrul Alam, Bangladesh Army Dr. Ethan Allen, DKI-APCSS Associate Professor, College of Security Studies Gabrielle Emery, IFRC Disaster Law Coordinator-Asia Pacific Henry Glorieux, U.N. Bangladesh Humanitarian Affairs Advisor Silke Bañuelos-Kuang, OCHA HAO/CMCoord Coordination Unit Kazi Shahidur Rahman, U.N. Bangladesh Humanitarian Affairs Advisor Major Allan Tan, Changi RHCC C4 Officer Cover and section photo credits Cover Photo Credit: International Rice Research Institute. Bangladesh Irrigation. https://flickr.com/photos/ricephotos/6233824438 Country Overview Section Photo Credit: Bryon Lippincott. Bangladesh Market. https://www.flickr.com/photos/bryonlippincott/49716008117 Disaster Overview Section Photo: Save the Children. Targeted food distribution in Barisal region of Bangladesh. https://www.flickr.com/photos/usaid_images/8080302607 Organizational Structure for Disaster Management Section Photo Credit: Bryon Lippincott. https://www.flickr.com/photos/bryonlippincott/49715901222 Infrastructure Section Photo Credit: Bryon Lippincott. Bangladesh. https://www.flickr.com/photos/bryonlippincott/49715145123 Health Section Photo Credit: U.S. Air Force photo/1st Lt. Chris Hoyler during Operation Pacific Angel. https://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/594998/patient-care-top-priority-during-pacific-angel-in- bangladesh/ Women, Peace, and Security Section Photo Credit: Musfiq Tajwar, Solidarity Center, Bangladesh. Women’s rally in 2018. https://www.flickr.com/photos/usaid_images/41772143535 Conclusion Section Photo Credit: Bryon Lippincott. Bangladesh. https://www.flickr.com/photos/bryonlippincott/49715024728 Appendices Section Photo Credit: WorldFish Photo. Rangpur, Bangladesh. https://flickr.com/photos/theworldfishcenter/10031278214 2 Center for Excellence in Disaster Management & Humanitarian Assistance Table of Contents Welcome - Note from the Director ...........................................................................................................9 The Center for Excellence in Disaster Management & Humanitarian Assistance ................10 Disaster Management Reference Handbook Series Overview ...................................................11 Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................................12 Country Overview .....................................................................................................................................14 History ........................................................................................................................................................15 Culture .......................................................................................................................................................16 Demographics .........................................................................................................................................16 Ethnic Makeup .................................................................................................................................16 Key Population Centers ................................................................................................................17 Language ...........................................................................................................................................17 Religion ..............................................................................................................................................17 Vulnerable Groups .........................................................................................................................17 Economics ................................................................................................................................................20 Government .............................................................................................................................................21 Environment ............................................................................................................................................21 Geography ........................................................................................................................................21 Borders ...............................................................................................................................................22 Climate ...............................................................................................................................................22 Disaster Overview ....................................................................................................................................24 Climate Change ...............................................................................................................................24 Hazards ......................................................................................................................................................25 History of Natural Disasters ................................................................................................................25 Country Risks ...........................................................................................................................................27 Country Risk Profile ........................................................................................................................28 Bangladesh Disaster Management Reference Handbook | May 2020 3 Organizational Structure for Disaster Management ..................................................30 Lead Government Agencies in Disaster Response ....................................................................30 Disaster Relief and Emergency Response .....................................................................................30 Armed Forces’ Role in Disaster Response ...............................................................................32 Humanitarian Coordination Task Team (HCTT) ...................................................................32 Laws, Policies, and Plans on Disaster Management ..................................................................33 Disaster Management Partners ........................................................................................................35 The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement .............................................36 United Nations in Bangladesh ...................................................................................................37 U.S. Government Agencies in Bangladesh....................................................................................38 Education and Training ........................................................................................................................39 Disaster Management Communications.......................................................................................39 Early Warning Systems ..................................................................................................................39 Information Sharing ......................................................................................................................40 COVID-19 Information Sharing Sources .................................................................................44 Infrastructure .................................................................................................................46 Airports ......................................................................................................................................................46 Seaports ....................................................................................................................................................46 Roads ..........................................................................................................................................................46 Railways .....................................................................................................................................................47 Waterways ................................................................................................................................................47 Schools ......................................................................................................................................................47 Disaster Risk Reduction in the Education Sector ................................................................48 Communications ....................................................................................................................................48 Utilities .......................................................................................................................................................49 Power ..................................................................................................................................................49 Water and Sanitation .....................................................................................................................50 4 Center for Excellence in Disaster Management & Humanitarian Assistance Health .............................................................................................................................53