Implementing standing orders on disaster (SOD) at Union level: the case of Kakua Union, Tangail district and Kazipur Union of sirajganj district, Bangladesh

Abstract

Bangladesh is arguably the world's most disaster prone country. Repeated disasters destroy the economic resource base of the poor people and drain out the economic potentials. The impacts and vulnerabilities of disasters could be minimized through proper disaster management planning and by integrating disaster management activities with local and national development plan. The study has been undertaken to explore how Union Disaster Management Committees (UDMCs) could be made more functional and proactive in implementing standing orders on Disaster (SOD). Union Disaster Management Committees (UDMCs) can play the key role for local level risk reduction planning. Standing orders on Disaster (SOD) issued by the Government of Bangladesh clearly defines the roles and responsibilities of UDMCs. In reality most of the UDMCs are not functional due to various reasons like lack of awareness/ knowledge, lack of resources, and strengthening UDMCs, UDMC members should be trained up for local risk reduction planning. Political commitment, allocation of resources, establishing proper monitoring & follow up system and Disaster Management Act are the issues which need to be addressed immediately for implementing standing orders on disaster (SOD) at Union level.