2016 ICT4D Conference

Bangladesh is vulnerable to natural disasters like flood and riverbank erosion, cyclone, tidal surge and drought. Practical Action, Bangladesh has been working to strengthen ability of poor people to use technology to cope with threats from natural disasters, environmental degradation. Thus, it focuses on improving vulnerable communities' ability to prepare for natural disasters, to survive and rebuild lives and livelihoods after disasters. The project "From Vulnerability to Resilience: Capitalizing on Public Investments (V2R+) has been supporting early warning dissemination through "mobile phone based voice message" and applying "Information (both Digital and Manual) Board". This paper bases on findings of an impact assessment of early warning system which was carried out after the flood (hit in monsoon 2015). The objectives of the assessment were threefold; firstly to understand the effectiveness of early warning system, secondly, to measure impact of EWS on flood vulnerable people and finally to explore how EWS can be further improved. The assessment applied qualitative approaches like key informant interview (KII) and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) for data collection. Four FGDs have been conducted where 32 (F-21, M-11) peoples were present (representing 7075 Household of the community). KII was conducted with 4 community volunteers, 3 entrepreneurs of Union Digital Centres, 2 Chairman of Union Parishad. Moreover, 7 Case studies were also collected. Findings demonstrate that out of the 7075 HHs, 681 HHs (10%) shifted on high land during flood with their movable assets, materials and cattle, 421 HHs (6%) raised shelter (cot), 180 HHs (3%) made portable cooker, 602 HHs (9%) performed late sowing/early harvest of crops, 84 (1%) HHs raised cattle plinth and 5107 (71%) HHs observed daily flood situation for deciding next course of action. The assessment unveils that ICT based information dissemination has been very effective in building flood resilient community in Sirajganj, Bangladesh.