Assessing risks from climate variability and change for disaster-prone zones in Bangladesh

We have measured livelihoods vulnerability indices for four disaster prone zones in Bangladesh, namely saline, flood, flash flood and drought. A total of 2558 households were surveyed to collect data on socio-demographics, livelihoods, social networks, health, food and water security, natural disasters and climate variability. The data were aggregated using a composite index and vulnerabilities across the four disaster prone areas were compared. Our results show that the flash flood zone is the most vulnerable zone followed by the saline, drought and flood zones respectively. The flash flood zone is mainly a mono-rice crop area and local livelihood opportunities are uncertain and limited. Road infrastructure is poor as a large part of this zone remains under water in the wet season. Public health services are underprovided and the hospitals are understaffed, sanitary conditions are poor and the households suffer a longer period of food insecurity. The poor households living in the saline zone have to depend more on social networks and local authorities to withstand livelihood shocks brought about by natural disasters such as tidal surges, cyclones and increasing salinity. The drought and saline zones are highly vulnerable to water. Water in these zones is not only scarce but also unsafe for drinking. The saline zone also suffers from salinity in water used for irrigation which has already affected productivity of land. We suggest an increase in public spending on sanitation and drinking water, health and rural infrastructure particularly in the disaster prone areas where incidence of poverty is high.