| Author | Mohiuddin, Helal Mohd |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no. HS-97-12 |
| Subject(s) | Emergency management--Bangladesh--Noakhali
|
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. HS-97-12 |
| Abstract | Coastal districts of Bangladesh are the most vulnerable to natural calamities. Cyclones cause
the severest sufferings to these coastal areas. Noakhali is a southern district that was affected
severely by several lives claiming cyclone disasters in different spheres of history. Previous
death records of cyclones show that women's death rate is much higher in the district than that
of the men. A number of government and non-government measures have been taken in the
past years to reduce the losses of lives and property without considering the vulnerability by
gender. Therefore, higher risk of female death in cyclones still persists. Hence, an effective
disaster preparedness technique with due recognition of women's issue is necessary.
Considering the resource constraints and women's home-bound status, the need of introduction
of alternative user-friendly technique is thought. People's knowledge of disaster preparedness
must, therefore, be given the highest priority.
How people perceive a disaster to prepare themselves for an approaching disaster is
revealed from this standpoint that the people in the area perceive modern and traditional belief
simultaneously. They depend on radios and TVs to listen to the warning, but rely less on them.
Confusion and disbelief among the people of the area about warning system makes emergency
decision- making difficult. People lack required consciousness of the needs of emergency
evacuation as well as pre-disaster preparation with available resources. People perceived the
conventional institutional preparedness programs as ineffective and of less use during
emergencies
Weak institutional arrangements are responsible for ineffective disaster preparedness in
the area. Mismanagement of cyclone shelters, government institutions' bureaucratic attitudes
and over-prioritized relief activity rather than pre-disaster coping strategy are also responsible
for the ineffectiveness of the institutional measures. In contrast, people have knowledge of
disaster preparedness that are effective, cost-effective, environment-friendly and compatible to
their needs. Among the people of the vulnerable community, women possess, depend, use and
preserve IK more than their male counterparts. People, especially the women of the study area
believe that community-based integrated development- preparedness activities would be
effective in developing their lot, meeting immediate development needs as well as to
overcome the weaknesses of institutional disaster preparedness. It is expected that the
community participation would ensure the women's use of indigenous knowledge during
emergencies.
The present research explored, categorized and documented the disaster preparedness
priorities and indigenous knowledge of people, giving due attention to gender perspectives.
Recommendations for further appraisal are made in the light of people's expectations,
capabilities, skill and knowledge. |
| Year | 1997 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. HS-97-12 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Human Settlement (HS) |
| Chairperson(s) | Dale, Reidar;Kelkar, Govind; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Wickramanayake, B.W.E.; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | H. R. H. Queen Sirikit
(Environmental Conservation Program); |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1997 |