Weathering the Storm: Options for Framing Adaptation and Development
(2007)
Case Description List
The cases included here form the basis for the World Resources Institute (WRI) report Weathering the Storm: Framing for Adaptation and Development. The Online Database version of this data allows you to sort cases by region, country, scale, sector, settlement type, impacts, objective, ‘targetedness', or strategies employed to online database. A link to the Online Database is available at
1. Raising Awareness of Risk through Radio Drama, Afghanistan (TearFund):
This is a disaster risk communication project targeting local communities. Disaster risk reduction messages are integrated into the story lines of the very successful BBC educational radio program "New Home, New Life". Objectives of the project are:(1) to raise community awareness of hazards and disaster risks; (2) to promote understanding of hazards and communities' vulnerabilities; and (3) to help communities enhance their capacities to address vulnerabilities. (
2. Disaster Preparedness for Climate Change, Argentina (Red Cross/Red Crescent):
The Argentine Red Cross is working to reduce the vulnerability of people faced with the effects of climate change in communities where poverty has been gaining ground. To achieve this, several projects are being formulated, with the aim of promoting action on climate change adaptation within the Argentine Red Cross and to implement campaigns linked to the problems caused by climate change and its effects, which will lead to a reduction of vulnerabililtes to poor health and disasters. Strengthening institutions for disaster prevention and health is the key to this, both at central level and in the territorial network of branches of the Argentine Red Cross. Likewise it is intended to develop work plans associated with academic bodies (universities and research centres), departments of the national and/or provincial governments concerned with health, civil protection, social development, education, social services, and others. (
3. Renewable Electricity in Isolated Settlements in the Province of Jujuy, Argentina (Government of Argentina):
The Argentine Government's installation of renewable energy in scattered rural communities too remote to be connected to the grid is providing many benefits associated with adaptation to climate change. These communities were especially vulnerable to climate change due to the low technological level of their agricultural production, the difficulty of investing in irrigation, the problem of water collection, their isolation from markets, and their low capacity for developing alternative crops. Subsistence activities and commerical agriculture and cattle ranching are all threatened by the potential of climate change to exacerbate preexisting environmental problems such as deforestation, desertification, and soil erosion. The main change brought about by this project was the replacement of fuelwood, kerosone, and candles with solar energy for cooking, lighting, and communications. Benefits included improved availability of lighting, education, communications, crafts, social activities, and security in the streets. All of these results are expected to make the communities better positioned in the event of changes to their local climate and to curtail direct human impact on the environment that can be intensified by climate change. (
4. Post-Flood Rehabilitation, Bangladesh (autonomous):
Communities in Bangladesh recover from floods by mending houses and boats (neighbours help each other); draining floodwater from agriculture land; choosing appropriate rice varieties (late transplanting cultivars) or bringing seedlings from other places; choosing a quick-growing low-cost non-rice minor crop; and skipping, if deemed appropriate, the entire cropping season. Post-flood rehabilitation initiatives by the government of Bangladesh and NGOs include granting relief materials such as food, clothes, house building materials; providing income-generating and rehabilitation activities (food for work programme for roads and other infrastructure); and offering agricultural and extension support in the form of soft loans, seed and fertilizer subsidies, etc. (
5. Enhancing Adaptive Capacity to Prolonged Flood and Water-Logging in a South Central Floodplain, bangladesh (SouthSouthNorth; Society for Wetland Eco-Research):
South-Central Bangladesh is prone to extended monsoon flooding and water-logging from the ocean and the Ganges and Januma Rivers. Various climate change studies have revealed that this region will be more prone to flooding and water logging due to heavy rainfall and other predicted effects of climate change. Erratic rainfall and temperature fluctuation are hampering crop production and livelihood activities in the area. The project will undertake a variety of strategies in partnership with the Society for Wetland Eco-Research (SWER), including: (a) diversification of agriculture through introducion of new cropping systems such as cultivation of vegetable and spices on Baira (hydroponics) during flood; (b) promotion of deep water Aman rice varieties and other more suitable crops; (c) increasing water drainage to avoid water logging; (d) homestead-based forestry, horticulture and integrated farming; (e) promotion of livelihoods and small entrepreneurship for the poor, women, and marginal groups through natural resources based activities; (f) promotion of market opportunities in relation to existing and emerging livelihood options and products; (g) promotion of safe drinking water facilities to reduce health risk; and (h) disaster preparedness in relation to prolonged flooding, heavy rainfall, and water logging.
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6. Livelihood Adaptation to Climate Variability and Change in Drought-Prone Areas: Developing Institutions and Options, Bangladesh (FAO and the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC)):
The project, implemented under the Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management Programme and in close collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), specifically looks at: characterization of livelihood systems; profiling of vulnerable groups; assessment of past and current climate impacts; and understanding of local perceptions of climate impacts, local coping capacities, and existing adaptation strategies. It also is developing a good practice adaptation option menu, evaluating and field testing locally selected options, and introducing long-lead climate forecasting, capacity building and training of DAE extension staff and community representatives. The options in the menu include: (1) improving crop security through agronomical management; (2) improving irrigation efficiency; (3) rainwater harvesting; (4) crop diversification and intensification; (5) promotion of alternative entreprise; and (6) improving access to credit. The next step was working with farmers to test various options, followed by a sound economic and marketing analysis of the successfully tested options. Dissemination and extension strategies being considered include: demonstrations, orientation meetings, field days, farmer field schools, and community rallies. (
7. Community Adaptation to Salinity and Cyclones in the Southwest Coastal Region, bangladesh (SouthSouthNorth; Caritas):
In this project, different types of capacity building activities including learning-by-doing type activities are implemented to enhance adaptive capacity of the targeted communities. Capacity building will target the areas of agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture, alternative livelihoods development and small entrepreneurship, access to safe water, and disaster risk reduction. Activities include: (a) diversification of agriculture (Promotion of salt tolerant rice varieties and other crops); (b) homestead-based forestry, horticulture and vegetable cultivation; (c) promotion of integrated rice, shrimp and fish culture; (d) pro-poor brackish water aquaculture; (e) identifcation of livelihood options and activities for women and marginal groups; (f) small entrepreneurship development based on local resources such as bee-keeping; (g) rainwater harvest and sweet water conservation for drinking and domestic; (h) sweet water conservation and efficient use for irrigation to agriculture; (i) preparedness for disaster risk (cyclone, tidal surge and sea level rise) reduction to save lives, properties and household assets; and (j) promotion of coastal afforestation for protection river bank erosion, prevent cyclone damages, etc.
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8. Promotion of Adaptation to Climate Change and Climate Variability, Bangladesh (IUCN):
The principal objective of the current project is to create enabling conditions in Bangladesh for promoting adaptation to climate change and climate variability in national policies and plans and also at the local community level. This includes preparing a set of recommendations to integrate climate change adaptation into various national actions, with a special focus on issues related to coastal zone management. These recommendations will complement the National Adaptation Plan of Action (NAPA). A network of key stakeholders at the national level will be established. Through this network, issues identified at the local level will be communicated to appropriate national bodies to generate a policy-decision cycle. The network will also contribute to generating discussions and raising awareness at the local level. The project will document local coping mechanisms, analyze the capacity of local institutions, raise awareness through dissemination of information regarding effects of climate change and adaptation possibilities, establish a countrywide Climate Change Adaptation Network, analyze coastal zone management policy, identify recommendation options for adaptation to climate change and climate variability, and organize a final workshop at the national level. The Committee in charge of the project will be drawn from assorted Ministries, including all members of the Bangladesh NAPA Committee. (
9. Comprehensive Disaster Management Program: Establishing An Integrated Approach To Climate Change Risk Management At National And Local Levels, Bangladesh (Government of Bangladesh):
Bangladesh is a disaster prone country due to its geographic location, and climate change will enhance the country’s exposure to climate-related disasters, such as floods, droughts, tropical storms and cyclones. In 2004, the Government of Bangladesh, DFID, and UNDP, started implementation of the Comprehensive Disaster Management Program (CDMP). The CDMP aims to achieve a paradigm shift in national disaster management from a conventional response-and-recovery approach to a more comprehensive risk-assessment-and-reduction approach. For the first time, possible climate change impacts are being included in the risk assessment process and in disaster preparedness and management activities. Integration of climate change into the Comprehensive Disaster Management Program is being achieved through (a) capacity-building of government institutions; (b) climate change modeling; (c) strengthening the knowledge and information basis on climate change; (d) strategies for awareness-raising, advocacy and coordination; and (e) pilot projects to support livelihoods adaptation to climate change in the agricultural sector.
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10. The Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change (RVCC) Project, Bangladesh (CARE Bangladesh):
This project aims to increase the capacity of Bangladeshi communities in the southwest to adapt to the adverse effects of climate change by improving climate-change related information collection and dissemination from and to all the stakeholders in the region. The climate change information management system will be improved, climate change information wil be disseminated to stakeholders regularly, and collection, preservation, and dissemination between local organizations will be fostered. (
11. Flood-Resilient Aquaculture in Faridpur, Bangladesh (Intermediate Technology Development Group):
The Intermediate Technology Development Group-Bangladesh's needs-assessment in three villages in the Faridpur district looked at fisheries to identify opportunities for interventions that will not only reduce their vulnerability to floods but will improve the food security situation of households at the time of disaster. In the past, villagers incurred losses when fish floated away as floodwater poured into fish ponds. To minimize the knowledge gap, ITDG-B developed and disseminated appropriate flood-friendly fisheries technologies. (
12. Cyclone Preparedness Program, Bangladesh (Bangladesh Red Crescent Society):
The Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) began efforts in 1965 to establish an early warning system for the residents of the coastal belt to cope with cyclonic winds and storm surges. In the mid-1980’s a complementary disaster preparedness program was initiated to promote community participation in the construction and maintenance of cyclone shelters. The official mandate of the BDRCS as stated in the Standing Orders for Cyclones, Floods and Famine is to complement the government’s efforts in case of emergency relief situations, emphasizing the development of disaster preparedness related plans and programs. The BDRCS Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP) covers 11 districts in the coastal areas. Volunteers have been trained to play a crucial role in the dissemination of cyclone warnings, evacuation, rescue, first aid emergency relief and in the usage of radio communication equipment. The CPP relies on technical skills and volunteers’ commitment to ensure that potential victims of an approaching cyclone are given sufficient warning, enabling them to move to safe sites. Meteorological data is collected from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), which issues regular bulletins that are transmitted to the six zonal offices and the 30 upazila (sub-district) offices over high frequency (HF) radio. The upazila office in turn, passes it to unions (village level) through very high frequency (VHF) radios. The unit team spreads out in villages and issues cyclone warnings. (
13. Flood-Resistant Housing in Faridpur, Bangladesh (Intermediate Technology Development Group):
Bangladesh regularly suffers from floods due to its position in the flat delta of three rivers, the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna, damaging houses, which need repair and maintenance on a regular basis. Aiming to improve this situation, a participatory rural appraisal (PRA) studied the local building techniques and materials available in the Faridpur district to develop feasible and cost effective flood resistant housing options for the poor. The PRA identified who is doing what, in order to ensure participation and capacity building of all concerned, including women. The housing improvements identified involved appropriate design, materials (e.g. wood, bamboo, jute stick to increase durability), improvements for wind protection, and plinth protection. Two design workshops were held on appropriate flood-resistant housing options. Both male and female members from vulnerable households as well as local carpenters and masons attended the workshops. A five-member team of architects and engineers contracted by the Intermediate Technology Development Group (ITDG) Bangladesh facilitated the workshop discussion. Workshop attendees agreed on several structural change that could make houses less vulnerable to damage by flooding. Afterwards, ITDG-B developed an affordable and durable housing model, in collaboration with local masons, carpenters and with the community partners. The project provided technical skill development training to the local masons, carpenters, and the selected households for effective maintenance and further dissemination of the comparatively low cost housing technology to the region. Following the workshop, the group of architects and engineers together with local masons, carpenters and the participating villagers started the construction of the houses. In the first stage of the housing development ITDG-B has provided a total of 24 houses in four villages for the most economicaly vulnerable households. (
14. Flood-Resistant Housing through Micro-Loans, Bangladesh (Grameen Bank):
The Grameen Bank provides small loans, issued without formal collateral, which enable the poor to set up small income-generating businesses and climb out of poverty in flood-prone regions of Bangladesh. The Grameen Bank has developed two standard house designs for which it will provide loans. In many cases the family add their own savings to the loan and are spending up to USD 800-USD 1,000 on their home and its furnishings. The houses vary in appearance throughout the country but have the same basic structural components. There are four reinforced concrete pillars on brick foundations at the corners of the house and six intermediary bamboo or concrete posts, with bamboo tie beams, wooden rafters and purlins supporting corrugated iron roofing sheets. This provides stability in floods and strong monsoon winds, and protection from the heavy rain during the monsoon season. In cases of severe flooding the house can be dismantled and the components stored and reassembled later. (
15. Coping with Climate Change, Bangladesh (Oxfam Netherlands; Gana Unnayan Kendra):
This project targets poor communities vulnerable to climate change, by (1) encouraging them to grow fast-growing or water-resistant crop varieties and to store harvest for times of crisis; (2) encouraging women to participate in community groups dedicated to climate change preparedness and adaptation; (3) training community members in disaster coping; (4) making sure vulnerable households have adequate water and sanitation facilities; (5) making sure vulnerable households have enough emergency medicine, food and fodder assistance to survive crises; (6) helping families whose houses have been destroyed to rebuild; and (7) raising awareness of water-borne diseases such as diarrhea and dysentery. (
16. Preparing for Floods, Bangladesh (Oxfam; local community):
As part of disaster preparedness, Oxfam has built cluster villages in flood-prone areas – small settlements raised more than two meters above the water level in high-risk areas. Elsewhere in the country, land has been set aside for flood shelter so that, when the waters come, hundreds of households can relocate and take their livestock and possessions with them. Rescue boats and lifesaving equipment has been funded. Within small communities, disaster preparedness committees have been given support and training. Individual homesteads have been raised above water level. And funds have been provided for radios, so that news of rising water levels can be spread much more quickly, giving people time to move cattle to higher ground and collect wood and bamboo. (
17. Participatory Climate Risk Assessment and Development of Local Adaptation Action Plans, Bangladesh (NorthSouthUniversity):
This project aims to develop a community-driven adaptation plan of action, as well as to facilitate the mainstreaming of climate change adaptation into the sustainable development planning process. Primary beneficiaries will include poor and marginalized farmers, agricultural laborers, landless women, indigenous people, small traders, and students. Through the identification of livelihood vulnerabilities to climate change, climate variability, and other natural hazards, this project will develop strategies to reduce such vulnerabilities identified in the risk assessment process. The project will adhere to the standard community risk assessment procedures of the Ministry of Food and Disaster Management of Bangladesh and its ongoing Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme. Risk communication strategies, materials, and means will be developed to facilitate involvement of government and development agencies and the mainstreaming of climate change adaptation into development planning. A selection of potential adaptation options will be tested at the local level and lessons learned will be shared with local, national, and international stakeholders. As the project aims to implement the activities with the active participation and ownership of the local governments (Union parishad), this process will contribute to the overall development plan of these governments, which, in turn, will contribute to the sustainable development process within those communities. (