Disaster Preparedness & Response
Bangladesh
Part of the constructed road
A road fulfils a dream in Bangladesh
Moradateya is a remote and vulnerable village in Gaibandha district, situated between two
marshy areas, the River Alai running between the two providing the surrounding village with
their source of water.
Most of the village inhabitants are farmers and fishermen, their poor economic situation
bringing problems of bad health, little access to education and a shortage of food.
Communication is also difficult as the main road, which provides the only access to other
communities, hospitals, schools and markets, is muddy, narrow and broken in places. During
the annual rainy season the heavy rain causes the river to overflow causing panic amongst
the villagers as the road becomes submerged with water entering the village locality and
causing damage to houses and crops. Before the community became aware of disaster
preparedness and risk reduction they felt powerless to do anything to change the situation.
In November 2007 HEED started DRR activities in Moradateya by forming ward DMCs and
helping them work through a PADR process. This led the community to realize the
importance of the link road and that they could continue to enjoy access to other locations
even during the rainy season. So they appealed to HEED for assistance to repair the road.
The community took the initiative to increase the road by adding more soil to it, giving their
labour as a voluntary contribution. To prevent soil erosion they made fencing and pillars from
their own bamboo resources. HEED and the community jointly completed the construction of
the road within one week with all the activities being monitored by the WDMC who
encouraged people to become involved with the voluntary work. After completion of the work
the community was very excited as this had been a new experience for them. It encouraged
them to continue to take initiatives to repair the road and to give their labour as a resource to
ensure the work can be done.