Reconstruction issues in areas frequently affected by cyclones

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  • Kusakabe Naonori
    Department of Communication and Culture, Faculty of Language and Literature, Otsuma Women’s University

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Other Title
  • サイクロン常襲地域における被災後の復興課題に関する研究
  • ―バングラデシュにおける定性調査をもとにした事例研究―
  • ―A study based on a qualitative research in Bangladesh―

Abstract

<p>Bangladesh has frequently been affected by natural disasters over its history. Large-scale tropical depressions (cyclones) have caused much human and physical damage. Various policies have been implemented with overseas assistance to protect against the damage, such as the construction of evacuation centers, the establishment of a weather forecast system and afforestation to protect against the tide. These measures have decreased the death toll from cyclones, but reconstruction of victims’ lives remains a serious issue. Even if one survived by evacuating oneself to a center before the cyclone hit, human and physical damage, such as loss of all breadwinners or household goods in a high tide, would hinder one’s life from returning to normal. Degradation of standard of living as an effect of cyclones increases vulnerability to disasters in the area and decreases preparedness for the next. It goes without saying that swift reconstruction of victims’ lives is an urgent issue to protect against future disasters in the areas under high risk.This study aims to clarify the issues of reconstruction after disasters from the point of view of residents in high-risk areas, by collecting qualitative data on the issues of residents and their responses to these issues in the areas where cyclones frequently hit in Bangladesh. The study looks at areas on the eastern coast of Hatiya Island in Hatiya Upazila, Noakhali District, which was devastated by cyclones in 1970 and 1991. This study reveals that ample assistance in the form of goods was provided right after the cyclone hit in 1991, whereas there was no assistance for mid- to long-term reconstruction, such as provision of work tools and housing. Evidence shows that this led victims to borrow money from NGOs (microcredit) and relatives in order especially to rebuild their houses. Repayment has taken a long time, which could be considered as pressuring those people’s lives in high-risk areas.</p>

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