MULTIPURPOSE DISASTER SHELTER PROJECT SHELTER FROM THE STORM APPROVAL DATE: END DATE: TOTAL COMMITMENT: IMPLEMENTING AGENCY BASIC December 16 September 30 $375 million Local Government Engineering INFORMATION 2014 2020 Department (LGED) OVERVIEW Due to the low and flat topography, Bangladesh is highly vulnerable to natural disasters, especially in VOICES its coastal zones. From 1980 to 2000, nearly 60 percent of the deaths caused by cyclones worldwide The changing climate is making occurred in Bangladesh. Due to the effects of climate change, an increase in the frequency and lives more difficult for vulnerable communities severity of cyclones, sea level rise and other natural disasters is likely to happen, making it even more essential for Bangladesh to adapt to increased uncertainty. By providing such as mine. We need to work harder to adapt. improved access to safe havens in the event of a natural disaster, the Multipurpose The new shelters being built means there is still Disaster Shelter Project (MDSP) benefits nearly 14 million people in nine coastal hope for our villages and for our families. districts. HASINA BEGUM Headmistress of Paschim Napitkhali Primary School in Barguna 100 CHALLENGE TOWARDS THE The longitudinal position of Bangladesh, its proximity to the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean, creates a tropical monsoon climate FUTURE prone to cyclones, floods and droughts. Nearly 40 million people live along the 710 km long coast, exposed to cyclones and other The shelter design includes natural disasters. Cyclones accompanied by powerful storm surges hit the coastal areas and often causes inundation over a vast area. a provision for one separate room with a toilet for pregnant Multipurpose disaster centres have been highly effective in saving lives in disaster-prone coastal districts. The Bangladesh Climate women and will further Change Strategy and Action Plan (BCCSAP) calls for the repair, maintenance and construction of additional cyclone shelters consider accessibility for throughout the coastal zones, as a priority intervention. people with disabilities. Steel The Government’s assessment suggests 7,124 multipurpose shelters will be needed by 2025 to improve disaster resilience across shelter construction is a major 14 coastal districts. Of these, around 4,760 will be needed on a priority basis by 2020. The need assessment has also identified nine intervention, based on which coastal districts as priority. To date, around 3,268 multipurpose disaster shelters have been constructed, leaving another 1,492 needed construction criteria for future by 2020. shelters may be determined. APPROACH The growing network of cyclone shelters and the community-based early warning system has enabled Bangladesh to save lives and assets during natural disasters. In nine coastal districts, the project is improving the local population’s access to safe havens during natural disasters. During regular weather, the shelters serve as primary schools, and during cyclones and other natural disasters, they double up as shelters. Thus, the project helps improve access to primary education. MDSP focuses on meeting the high priority needs of cyclone-prone areas with the shelters. The project also builds connecting roads and communication networks to shelters, ensuring easy accessibility. Bangladesh has gained significant experience in the construction of multipurpose disaster shelters, most notably through the Emergency 2007 Cyclone Recovery and Restoration Project. MDSP further improves the designs of these shelters. The project is one of the very first projects to introduce steel shelters for improved quality. EXPECTED RESULTS 552 new shelters to 450 existing 550 km of rural roads 14 million people be constructed in shelters to be to be constructed for in 9 coastal districts to 9 coastal districts rehabilitated better access to shelters benefit THE WORLD BANK IN BANGLADESH | 101