Strengthening local leadership to promote resilience, recovery, and effective response for the vulnerable communities in Sylhet region and other districts in Bangladesh

Bangladesh has achieved significant progress in disaster preparedness, particularly in managing recurring floods and cyclones. However, the increasing severity of flash floods and lightning—especially in Sylhet and Sunamganj—demands targeted climate resilience and disaster risk reduction strategies. In response, Save the Children and the START Fund launched a 22-month initiative aimed at supporting flood-affected communities by enhancing early warning systems and promoting climate-resilient livelihoods. A baseline study was conducted using a mixed-methods approach that integrated quantitative surveys of 655 households and 292 volunteers, along with qualitative data from 8 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and 22 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with stakeholders.

Findings revealed that approximately 60% of respondents were affected by floods or flash floods, with disproportionately higher impacts on women. The 2022 floods caused widespread destruction, displacing families and disrupting livelihoods, while lightning strikes contributed to fatalities among both humans and livestock. Education suffered as well—school closures affected 98% of children in Sylhet and 89% in Sunamganj, with long-term disruptions forcing many children, especially in Sunamganj, into child labor. Only a small fraction of households had access to early warnings for climate hazards, revealing systemic communication gaps.

Baseline values for key USAID indicators (K05 and T05) were zero, indicating no prior use of climate information for risk reduction or policy-level adaptation actions. The Disaster Management Committees (DMCs) and volunteers showed limited disaster preparedness knowledge, with men reporting slightly higher familiarity than women.

The study recommends urgent investment in resilient infrastructure, improved early warning dissemination, and the establishment of trained, community-based volunteer groups. Additional recommendations include flood definition refinement, localized rapid response systems, and promoting climate-adaptive agricultural practices. These findings offer critical insights for shaping adaptive policies and interventions that strengthen community resilience in hazard-prone areas.