Editor (Chief Technical Adviser comp Inside Mainstreaming Risk Reduction Defining the Risk Environment ‘and Early Warning Education and Knowledge ‘Management Reducing the Underlying Risk Factors Emergency Response In recent years we have witnessed a growing awareness of global warming and along with this the emergence of climate change While thete is broad agreement that both goéal ‘warming and climate change are occuring, there would appear tobe verng views as to how the world should tackle the problems at hand On the matter of alobal warming i i clear that global strategy is required if greenhouse ges emissions are tobe reduced While Banglaceeh has achieved a number of milestones in this regard tis evident that the governments of the more "Seveloped and industrialised” countries are faced with the completes of tying to satsty the wants and needs of big business and the people and thisisnot alas acomplmentary process This thorefore suggests that while mitigation to reduce global warming must be pursued with vengeance, it wl take time before there will be postive and sustainable pects The ‘eaity i that cimate change i alrady having varying fvals of impact acoss the Wor. A number of predictions have been made including those for Bangladesh, particularly In rego t sa level sa temperature variation and increased rairfa.Whe we canner ignore these predictions itis Important forthe goverment to consider them within the broader ‘Bangladesh context. The added challenge is that oss border factors must also be included inthe overall risk analysis and this may prove tobe a more complex sue Fst and foremost i Important to ensure that ciate change Is ot considered 2¢ an Isolated event that requites@ completely new system of management Bangladesh akeady has a vary compl range of institutional mechanisms that deal with floods, sroushs, riverbank erosion, cyclones storm surge andl even sea level ie. The key Isto ensure thet, ‘these global clmate change predictions are convertd into national impact statements and that these are then analyzed to facilitate sectoral cress sectoral and ultimately community adaption whore ts deemed necessary. ‘Senply pu adaptation means that we klently and acknowledge tha our sk erwkonment has changed and we accept that we wil have to change our exsting practices or adapt to ‘the changing rs factor nore to protect and sustain developmen.lives ar lvelThoods, ‘This is ako the underying paris ofthe "bul back batter stratagy and the bass upon hich disaster skreduction strategies are designed and implemented son this regardit is ota new eve, tis very clear that we should not underestimate the challenges presented by climate ‘change. However inthe contort of ist, Ives and lvelnods, Me must ensure that remains asjestone of the many factors to be considered as we continue to define and redefine our changing rik environment In the pursuit of sustainable development and poverty alleviation goals[MAINSTREAMING RISK REDUCTION MoU Signed with BARD ‘A Memerandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between ‘COMP and Banaladesh Academy fr Rural Development (BARD) ‘on 6 April 2008 for sharing knowledge end resources in developing disaster management courses, modules, manuals ‘and conducting training programme on vaous aspects of disaster management. Mr. Khairul Kabi, Director General of [BARD and Mr lan Rector, Chef Technical Advisor of COMP sianed the MoU. ‘Under this MoU, BARD and COME wil jointly cary outa week: {ong taining course on Disaster Management for Sustainable Livelhood Development. Apert from this COMP wil assist in ‘organizing a series of workshops, seminars and training sessions on clsaster management in diferent foundation ‘courses, These weeklong training programmes wll be jointly ‘organized twice ayaa. Disaster Management Training Strategy Sees As patt of capacity development for Disaster Management sytem in Bangladesh COMP under iss component 3d has conducted an ventory of al the csastr management traning programmes of the public taining institutes and also conducted a need assessment {or wining on disaster management. This has Deen cone with the objective of developing a stateay for establishing a Dissster ‘Management Training insite inthe country. The proces involved a review fall the disaster management policy documents as well 2s dscussion sessons with representatives of various pubic traning istkutons and NGO representatives 1 Went the needs and geps. From the survey as well 2s through discussion in the workshop, a consensus emerged to the effects that demand for cease ‘management taining and research has increased significant over the last decade Since the esting pubic traning institutes including [BNE do not have adequate trained human resources and requisite traning materials to conduct the lage numberof training courses ‘needed at national regional and local levels establishment ofa fulledged disaster management traning and research instute has ‘become essetal it's expected thatthe proposed national institut will support capacity development ofthe existing pubic taining Institutes as well. COMP wl seek approval regarding the proposed strategy fiom concerned authorities and hope to pot the strategy, ‘once tis approved. CDM als kes o pursue he implementation process futher during the Phase of the programme “The Gon accordance with the set objectives of MoFDM. has taken decision to ince a two-hour session on Disaster Management in ‘ach of long-term vaining courses In GoB Training institutes. COMP fees that a two-hour session is not adequate wo cover all the core topics of cisaster management and therefore, perceives the need for ‘additonal specialized taining courses on Disaster Management for iferent levels of ofcias working for MoFDM. COMP has already designed training modules to enhance the understanding of concerned MoFOM ofcials with regard to comprehensive dsaster ‘management The proposed taining programmes are expected 1o be limplermnted by MoFDM with support from OMB and COM. Review of Disaster Management Curricula COMP is inthe process of develoning curcula and exra-curicu ‘activities for all levels of educational instutions of the country. Ths asslgnment Is expected to contloute to the more comprehensive inclusion of hazard awareness aspects of Fvetiood security in the curicula end exta-curieulor programmes ata eves of education, Institutions ts also mepected thet crag this activity materials wl 'be developed for strengthening concermed deasion-makers with ‘egard to hazard awareness and risk reducton. A short term consuttnt wes appointed under component 3d for pursuing the activity, ‘who reviewed the exiting text books/yBabus of NCTE, Madrasa Education Board Technical Education Board concerned departments of ‘various unlvestas and the previous sues undertaken by DME/CDMP and DoE Based on thatthe consultant has submited areportto ‘Cow? on Curricula Review wit regaré to Hezard Avareness and Risk Recucton “The report Is a comprehensive review ofthe curticula from primary tothe higher educational level of univers I alo expres how ‘sate sk reduction issues can be effectwely incorporated Into the curiculim and extra-curricular programmes, The gaps of knowledge among policy makers garding hazard awareness issues have been focused inthe report along with recommendations for Improvements The curent and potential oles of electron: and print macla in enhancing Ivelhood secur though facitating hazard ‘awareness and risk reducton ras ko been explored inthe report The consultant has been ad\sed by CDMP to provide COMP with ‘workable strategies for piloting hezard awareness curricula at diferent levels of educational institutions (mentioning who wil develop necessary materials from whom the approval wil be sought, fem when the piling wll commence et) After weceing detailed strategies from the consultant, COM? wl go for plotng (subject to approval from authors. As menconed eal, based on the recut ‘achieved during phase COMP wil cary the workurther forwarc during phase I. DEFINING THE RISK ENVIRONMENT AND EARLY WARNING ‘Adaptation Research Programme by COMP Climate Change Cell, ‘Over the past years the Climate Change Cell has faciftated a process to inti priority areas for research to generate knowledge in _addessing rss of Clmate Change; expire new adapeaton options forthe community to adapt with the Impact of climate changer sharing experiences with relevent stakeholders on good practices for adaptation to cimate change and verabity Te process includes several stakeholder consultation, workshops and mectings with relevant expert groups Through this process the Cll assisted by is “Technical Advisory Group (TAG) and stakeholders, enced a set of research actives related to ckmate change and adaptation in Bangladesh, The research activities have Been priontized and a number of research projects have been commissioned. The ‘commissioned researches incide Crop Agriculture Crop Insurance, Hel, Gender end Disadvantage Groups onthe following issues: ‘= Clate Change and Heath impactsin Bangladesh "Climate change and its impact on transmission dynamics of cholera 1 Acaptive Cop Agricture Including Innovative Farming Practices in the Hace Basin ‘= Adaptive Crop Agreuiture inching innovaive Farming Practices inthe Coastal Zone “Climate Change, Gender and Vulnerable Groupe in Bangladesh «Crop Insurance as Rsk Management Strategy n Bangladesh Economle modeling ‘Cimate change impacts can undermine countries’ efforts to achieve ‘the goals of sustainable development, In particular by worsening poverty in developing counties, especially the Least Developed Countries ke Bangladesh. anaes in general and impacts due to mate chenge and variability on factors effecting sustainable development (economic growth, socal justice, and envronmental Integr ty} need tobe monetize to bring polcy makers an planners ‘r-board and provide them with an instrument tht enabes ther in Interpreting economical, socal and environmental cost while planning development programs. Considering the physic impacts of climate change on the ‘economy, an human fe and on the enronment, the climate ‘change cl inends to develop environment assessment framework and model to develop scenarios of environmental cost ofthe cimate change (and varablty) on Bangladesh. tn this respect the Cel Intated two different studies Estimating evkonmental cast for climate change, implemented by CNRS (completed in March 2008) and Economic modeling f climate change adaptation needs fr physical nrasvucnures in Bangladesh unde Implementation by CEG'S. The ‘economic modeling stay shied in 3 phases two phases have been complatod while 2 phase has bean Initatod (June 2008),‘Climate impact prediction modeling Worldwide, cimete impact prediction modeling provides useful scenarios of impacts of climate change in seeking answers to the ‘questions, and to help prepee the vulnetable to respond tothe challenge. In Bangladesh, Climate modelling has been introduced ‘recently and i atthe begioning sage. ‘Climate Change Cel following the guideline and busines len provided inthe institutional roadmap end recommendation ofthe DFID review mission has undertaken several ntatives A Climate Change Study Cell (SC) has been established at BUET with active {actitation of Climate Change Cell Cal also inkated 2 number of studles to Improve the capacty in the arena of climate change ‘modeling. The outputrest of the nitatve shall enable communities and the profesionals engaged inthe Climate Rsk Assessment (CRA) and Rsk Reduction Acton Pian (RRAP) process to make knowledge based (indigenous and scent Knowledge} decisions for sk ‘ranagement.adaptation and clmateresikent development. The study was conducted on the following issues: 1.Gimete Impact Scenarios for Bangladesh 2. Characterizing long-term changes of Bangladesh climate n conte of agiculture and trigation $lmpact Assessment of Cimate Change and Sea Leva Rise on Monsoon Flooding ‘Allthe rescech & macling inittives taken by the Cell have been completed ard the research team submitted ther ral reports The tevlew process ofthe findings of researches has been Iniated, Copies of the fal reports have been sent to z number af selected reviewers (relevant to research topics) and TAG member. A haltday consultation workshop was held on 26 June 2008 at FKSF conference room where researchers presented findings reviewed and compiled feedbacks from the stakeholders including TAG members The partcpants appreciate the Ika ofthe Cel and provided valuable suggestions ad recommendations to etch the studlesand develop future research plans. [Adaptation in Action: Livelihood Adaptation to Climate Change Project “The Impacts of climate variably and change are global cancers but in Bangladesh, where large segments of the population are chronically ‘exposed and vulnerable to a renge of recurent natural hazards thy are pparcuatycrteal, Since 2005 Department of Agricutural Extension (AE) wth techoicalassitance from Food and Agriculture Organization ‘ofthe UN (AO) Is gulding a process on Inellhood adaptation vo climate varlabilty and change In the crought prone areas of Northwest ‘Banglades. In 2008 the geographical scope has been widened to also Inclade slectad dstrts ln the coastal area. The projec, Implamensed ‘under the Comprehensive Disaster Managment Programme {COMP by ‘the Department of Agricultural Extension (DA8, and in callaboraton with the Departments of sheres, Lyestack and Forestry and selected inational receareh netutes, nila actons by: charactetation of livelnood systems prong of wlnerable gtoupsassesement of past and ‘urene climate Inpacts understancleg of local perceptions of clmate Impact, local coping capaciies and exsting adaptation strategies, ong-ead climate forecasting The project is promoting instkuional and ‘echnical capactybuiting within key agencies and among farmer assocations/groups for demand resposive technologies and services need by formers to beter adapt with changing climatic condtions. The project hes developed and isconstnty updating dvesied ‘good practice adaptation option menu, which informs fel testing of ecally pilortzed adaptation options; panticipatcy extension processes are key and Include: demonstrations, orientation mectings eld days farmer fll’ school, and community awarencss ‘programe. Findings and lesson leaned get systematically documented and aralyzed to inform plannersand decision makers. ‘The project has achieved some commendable resuks and outcomes so far by involving the farmers fn the ld of agriculture and valnoods, Tl today, the project has conducted more than 275 demonstration of 15 viable adaptation practices for 6 seasons (Rabi 2005 to Kart 2007) in 4 upaaies of drought prone Barnd areas. Among the several adaptation practices farmer groups considered ‘min-goncs growing of jube (be, homesteed gardens anc improved stove es the most important adaptation options. Armong some lecaly lente’ adaptation options frm the sine prone coastal areas an later valdated by the cletss and exports eduction of ‘saline tolerant rice varite, integrated rice fish culture, fish cuthation inthe water logged area, management ofthe embankment and slbices for crop production ae found te have potential in the wake of future cimate change threats The identified onions are planned ‘we demonsticted in the 2008 Khai season inthe southurstem saline prone coastal aes. {tls estimated form the options tested in northwest upazils thatthe adoption of rain water harvesting in the mini-oond and ‘supplemental irgation to Aman during drought in Kha 208 improved the rie yk by 23% and net profit by 755 Water sang Jnigtion practice increases the water use efficiency of rice by 20% but ye and economic advantage s marginal due to low cost of ‘nate. Adoption of Improved sowe at household level requires an investment of US$ 10/househokd while I saves 30% fuel use and reduces 35% time for cooking. Update on CRAExpansion ‘CAA 2 partcpstory process for essessing hazard vlnerablves, sk ability to cope, preparing coping strategies and fly preparing 2 rs reduction options implementation plan by the local communty. The process recognizes thatthe vunerebility, oss reduction of miugation svategy and coping mechanism vary from community to community and group to group within the same community ‘ovomen, persons with cisablity andes farmers, fisher folks et) Therefore it ensures representations of profesional, community and ‘other groups anc reflection of thelr isin the results tis planned that CRA practice wil be expanded in other 19 upazias in adston to COMP pilot districts Flowing the decision 112 unis {unions and pourashavas) were drawn fom 19 solectod upaais under sx Sidr affected disticts (6argunaJhalokath Projput Patuakhal, ‘owing & Bagerhat! znd thee food prone dss (Menon Rabari and Tangal For conducting the assignment. Accordingly. on 18th ‘May 2008, sx sub implementing agencies (SIs) signed contracts with COMP The SIs under the given contracts are to conduct CRA, ‘develop HARPs and alsc Implement the same at cornmunity as well as household level through demonstration, workshops trling and ‘es Tune 2008 515 CRAs have been concucted and 315 RRAPS have been prepared cowering 100% unions ofthe COMP pilot dst. EDUCATION AND KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT ‘World Day to Combet Desertification and Drought Observed Disaster Management Sureau in association with the Advocacy Component of Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme (COMP) organized @ National Seminar on "Combating Land Degradation for Sustainable Development” in Dhaka on 17 June 2008 as part ofthe celebration of Word Day to Comibat Desetieation and Drought Renowned Environmental Scientist. Atq Rahman was the ‘Grief Guest in the inaugural sesion, while Dr. KhandokerReshedul Haque, rector General ofthe Department of Ervin ment atended the program as the Special Guest. Mr lan Rector, Chief Technical Adviser, COMP delivered address of welcome and Mx. KH Masud Siddiqi Director Generel of Disaster ManagernentBuresu addressed as Calr ofthe opening session, Inthe working session Dr.Sekh Gulem Hussain, Member Dkector af Bangladesh Agrcukure Research Council presented 2 peper on ‘Climate Change, Desertification and ‘Sustainable Development. Another paper on “Land Degradation in Bangladesh" was presented by Messlaluddin Mohammed Sheed, Get Scientific Officer of the Soll Resource Development Institute (SRO). Mr. Ma. Reazuddin, Director of the Department of Environment, and Ms. Shuchita Sharmin, an Assistant Profesor of the apartment of Development Studies, Draka Univesity, took part in the technical session a designated discussant, “The teminar was partispated by the experts Sassoeser inthe rewgun essoneeserbar ‘and activists from national and Intemational ‘xganizations wotkng in the field of erwionment disaster management, agricukure and sil scence. inthe inaugural speech, Or. Ati ‘Rahman mentioned that Global Warming would lead o increasing frequency of drought. which sometimes has greatarnagatwe impacts ‘on crops than other natural calamities do.