The Nature of Community Participation in Disaster Management A Study on Selected Coastal Villages in Bangladesh

Abstract

Community people affected by disasters are currently considered paramount in the disaster management process as they can identify their contextual risks and understand their specific needs better than others. Despite having recognized their vital role in the disaster  mitigation process, their participation is limited in many aspects. Drawing on this background, the current study aims at exploring the nature of community participation in selected disaster-prone coastal villages of Bangladesh. From Marxist and structural-functionalist perspectives, the study intends to highlight the nature of social exclusion and feeling of deprivation and powerlessness of the  community people in every step of the development process. Based on a questionnaire survey on a sample size of 93 coastal men and women, the study finds that the extent of community participation in the development process is not satisfactory at all. Before starting any development project, community people's consent is not taken. Consequently, many development activities keep detrimental  effects on coastal livelihoods. To supplement the quantitative data the study also conducted two FGDs which show that training programs local people receive most often fail to increase their income and livelihood opportunities and thus are considered ineffective  by the coastal people. These indicate inappropriate need assessment due to a lack of poor community participation in the  planning process. The study thereby suggests that empowering community people through ensuring adequate community  participation in development process is badly needed for effective disaster risk reduction and achieving community resilience.