# In pursuit of an effective local government to localize disaster management in the global south: Bangladesh perspective November 03, 2025 Mohammad Tarikul Islam - [ Blog ](/news-categories/blog) Local governments play a crucial role in all phases of disaster management, encompassing prevention, readiness, response, and recovery. Local governments are typically the first to respond to a crisis, so their actions are critical to mitigating its immediate impacts, saving lives, and restoring normalcy as soon as possible. Disaster management refers to the coordinated efforts to prevent, mitigate, respond to, and recover from natural and manmade disasters. Local governments are crucial to disaster management because they are closely connected to the affected communities and are familiar with their resources, needs, and specific situations. Local governments are responsible for ensuring that communities are better prepared to deal with future disasters. Bangladesh is undoubtedly the most disaster-prone nation in the world, with frequent natural disasters destroying the poor people's economic foundation and sabotaging their potential. The goal of effective humanitarian coordination is to utilize available resources efficiently and provide the most relevant and suitable response to the needs of those affected by a disaster[. Planning for disasters and coordinating disaster management efforts](https://link.springer.com/rwe/10.1007/978-3-031-17463-6_124) with regional and national development objectives can help reduce the effects and vulnerabilities that disasters cause. It is clear that one of the most important components of disaster management is efficient coordination. Bangladesh's steadfast efforts to shift disaster management from a relief to a risk reduction approach have earned it recognition and a reputation on a global scale in this field. [Bangladesh is among the nations most vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change](https://link.springer.com/rwe/10.1007/978-3-031-17463-6_124), which include a rise in the frequency and severity of extreme weather events as well as risks such as soil salinisation, sea level rise, and erosion of riverbanks. Additionally, there is the possibility of earthquakes, which presents a problem, especially for Bangladesh's expanding urban areas. A few hydro-meteorological dangers, such as lightning, and biological (COVID-19) threats, are recent phenomena. In Bangladesh, disasters disproportionately affect women, girls, and people with disabilities. However, their potential to help mitigate the risk of disasters is frequently disregarded and often overlooked. Consequently, current national disaster management procedures and systems need to place more emphasis on inclusive risk management. Despite being recognized globally as a pioneer in [volunteer-led and community-led disaster risk reduction and management](https://nrpbd.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Report-on-Decentralized-DRR.pdf), Bangladesh's current support systems only address specific regions and natural hazards. The local government, which has a network spanning from metropolitan to rural areas, serves as the national government's auxiliary force, taking on various duties to protect the community from disasters. Given this context, local governments have been working to enhance community resilience through a range of decentralized initiatives. For local disaster risk reduction and risk management, the [decentralized approach](https://nrpbd.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Report-on-Decentralized-DRR.pdf) prioritizes reproducible, cost-effective models and institutionalizes those that have demonstrated potential in prior climate change and disaster risk reduction initiatives. By shifting the focus from only emergency response to resilience building through the empowerment of local government organisations from town to village, [the strategy builds on the Government of Bangladesh's (GoB)](https://modmr.portal.gov.bd/sites/default/files/files/modmr.portal.gov.bd/page/a7c2b9e1_6c9d_4ecf_bb53_ec74653e6d05/NPDM2021-25%20DraftVer5_23032020.pdf) previous achievements in disaster risk reduction. But it also critically examines the risk of disasters in the context of contemporary development, taking into account shifting social, political, economic, and environmental conditions. It is created in accordance with the Disaster Management Act of 2012 as well as other GoB policies, such as the Delta Plan and the Eighth Five-Year Plan. [The plan aligns with GoB's commitment](https://modmr.portal.gov.bd/sites/default/files/files/modmr.portal.gov.bd/page/a7c2b9e1_6c9d_4ecf_bb53_ec74653e6d05/NPDM2021-25%20DraftVer5_23032020.pdf) to the Paris Climate Agreement, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The plan takes a step-by-step approach. To build strategic, scientific, and implementation partnerships with relevant government departments and agencies, as well as key non-governmental organisations, academic and technical institutions, the private sector, and donors, [Bangladesh has adopted a comprehensive approach](https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/views/news/local-government-effective-disaster-management-3443296) to localising disaster management. Significant strides have been made in lowering the vulnerability of the people of Bangladesh, for instance, thanks to improved early warning systems, effective preparation, and community-based response capabilities. As a result of urbanization and climate change, Bangladesh is undergoing rapid transformation, and disaster risk is evolving accordingly. Therefore, it is necessary to update and reformulate disaster management strategies on a regular basis to leverage new technologies and global connections, as well as to adapt to changing conditions. To aid in the nation's disaster management efforts, the institutional framework and policy tools are well-established. [The National Plan for Disaster Management (NPDM 2021-2025)](https://modmr.portal.gov.bd/sites/default/files/files/modmr.portal.gov.bd/page/a7c2b9e1_6c9d_4ecf_bb53_ec74653e6d05/NPDM2021-25%20DraftVer5_23032020.pdf) aims to direct national efforts towards achieving key disaster management priorities by building on Bangladesh's existing accomplishments and institutional structure. The development of a risk-informed strategy that guarantees the [effective participation of community members](https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/views/news/local-government-effective-disaster-management-3443296)—primarily women, people with disabilities, children, and the elderly—requires a well-designed and practical instrument that engages local government with expertise, knowledge, competence, and commitment. To identify and better understand disaster risks at the local level, the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR) developed the Community Risk Assessment (CRA) tool. CRA is an interactive process that involves the local community evaluating risks, hazards, vulnerabilities, and coping skills before creating a risk reduction action plan, also known as a Risk Reduction Action Plan (RRAP). The CRA technique acknowledges that each community has its own unique coping mechanisms, disaster loss reduction or mitigation strategies, and associated risks. Over the years, the Government of Bangladesh has developed and implemented various national policies and measures to [mitigate the country's vulnerabilities to natural disasters](https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/views/news/local-government-effective-disaster-management-3443296). These policies and measures aim to improve community resilience, decentralise disaster management, strengthen community-focused risk reduction, and foster cross-scale partnerships. Communities are actively engaging in risk-reduction tactics at all levels, taking ownership to lessen susceptibility, and cooperating to accomplish an all-hazard management goal. Building their resilience and adaptability to disasters is mostly dependent on community-based disaster preparedness initiatives. To better understand the [dynamics of community-based disaster management](https://hhi.harvard.edu/news/2025/09/development-governance-and-disaster-nexus-bangladesh-viewpoint), particularly in the context of governance and sustainable development, the roles of local institutions and community groups in collaboration, and the importance of resilience building for effective disaster management, further study and policy are needed. One of the top priorities, as stated in the [Standing Orders on Disaster (SOD), has been localising disaster management](https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/southasia/2018/01/08/how-does-local-government-cope-with-disaster-in-bangladesh/) through local government entities. To facilitate relief for disaster victims, the government of Bangladesh has taken several key actions in recent years to establish institutional frameworks for efficient and systematic disaster management at both the national and Union Parishad (UP) levels. The Government of Bangladesh has developed a set of top-down mechanisms, ranging from national to grassroots levels, to ensure proper coordination among relevant Ministries, departments, line agencies, [Local Government Bodies, and community members,](https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/southasia/2018/01/08/how-does-local-government-cope-with-disaster-in-bangladesh/) as well as to ensure their proper functioning to mitigate the suffering of the people. The Standing Orders on Disaster (SOD) serve as a manual for these systems. As prescribed in the SOD, disaster management committees are in operation, ranging from the Prime Minister-led National Disaster Management Council to the UP Chairman-led Union Disaster Management Committee. [According to the SOD, the UDMC has 36 members.](https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/southasia/2018/01/08/how-does-local-government-cope-with-disaster-in-bangladesh/) However, subject to local conditions and unique circumstances, the chairperson of the Committee may co-opt up to three more members and create groups and sub-groups. UDMC has been designated as the rural disaster management organisation, and its responsibilities include disaster preparedness, mitigation, emergency response, and rehabilitation following a disaster. In addition to ensuring that locals are aware and equipped to take proactive steps to lower risk at the household and community levels, the UDMC must also publicly share success stories of disaster risk reduction. They are responsible for conducting a Union-wide hazard, vulnerability, and risk analysis, as well as developing [a risk reduction action plan (RRAP) and contingency plan](https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-99-1631-3_5) for earthquakes and other calamities. Through quarterly coordination meetings, the UDMC fosters coordination among development agencies and service providers, makes decisions on implementing risk reduction action plans, and reviews the progress of these plans. It also focuses on raising funding at the local level to carry out the risk reduction action plan. Unfortunately, access to UDMC's meeting debates and decision-making procedures is severely restricted for those living in rural areas, especially vulnerable groups. This also implies that members of the local vulnerable group are not well-informed on the duties, responsibilities, and operations of the disaster management committee at the local level. There was no proof that UDMC had any involvement prior to the accident. According to the community-level consultation, [disaster risk management](https://www.undrr.org/resource/case-study/bridging-national-strategy-and-local-action-bangladeshs-success-vertical-drr) is still viewed as a secondary concern and is not effectively included in the various Union Parishad programs. Regrettably, people in rural localities, particularly vulnerable groups, have very limited access to UDMC’s meeting deliberations and decision-making processes. This also suggests that the local vulnerable group members have very limited information about the role, mandates, and functioning of the disaster management committee on the ground level. There was no evidence of any role being played by UDMC in a pre-disaster period. The general perception from the community-level consultation revealed that disaster risk management remains a secondary priority and is not well integrated into the various programmes being implemented by the Union Parishad. People who manage and lead Disaster Management Committees are not disaster management experts, but the SOD has empowered them to organise and manage disaster relief efforts. Political leadership at the local level was previously involved in disaster management by the ruling political parties; thus, the interests and sense of accountability of the people are not represented. Politicisation of local disaster management sent a negative message to the community and jeopardized fair disaster management. People who are more vulnerable to disasters are frequently deprived of essential knowledge about the types of disaster management activities planned and implemented by Bangladesh's Upazila and District administrations. On the other hand, the [Union Disaster Management Committee](https://hhi.harvard.edu/news/2025/09/development-governance-and-disaster-nexus-bangladesh-viewpoint), led by the Union Chairman, has been established on paper, but its other members are not sufficiently versed in the committee's procedures. [Participation in UDMC activities](https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-99-1631-3_5) by the community fosters self-esteem, confidence, and the capacity to take on local development and disaster preparedness and mitigation duties. Through UDMC's capacity building and public awareness initiatives, communities can become more involved and eventually continue their preparedness and mitigation efforts independently. To ensure that women's needs and abilities are reflected, concerned government agencies, such as the Department of Disaster Management, NGOs/INGOs, and the policy of having two women in each UDMC, fall short. The ability of women to influence and participate in UDMCs is not supported by any data or study. The development of UDMCs' capacity is not mapped, and numerous initiatives are being undertaken to increase the Disaster Management Committees' capabilities, but it is unable to obtain this data or determine which areas the committees are operating in. In all field-level Disaster Risk Reduction initiatives, where resources are distributed at the federal level through district administration, elected local government officials at the Union and Upazila levels are essential players. However, in this densely populated nation where communities are impacted by a variety of risks throughout the year, the number of resources allotted is insufficient to sustain the programs. The UDMC must do the following in order to effectively address the challenges of disaster preparedness: hold regular UDMC meetings before, during, and after disasters; raise funds specifically for disaster risk reduction; establish disaster warning stations in each UP office; build and maintain disaster shelter centres within the UP complex; establish a volunteer team for emergency response under each UP; start training on disaster preparedness and emergency response; develop a social awareness In addition to these, UDMC's effectiveness is a result of community participation in the evaluation of hazard vulnerability and resources, plan development, and execution of preparedness and mitigation measures. To swiftly determine the scope of "disaster events" and identify any gaps in the government's response capabilities, it is necessary to collaborate with them to develop high-quality information. Strong support for the necessity of sharing information quickly (independent of the need for aid) and for establishing a venue for the widespread dissemination of information produced by non-governmental actors should be part of this. By determining how to initiate a coordinated response to an incident that empowers Union Parishad, the first responder in a disaster, an attempt should be made to examine the legality of initiating coordination. Additionally, it is imperative that the international humanitarian community maintains its efforts by implementing additional community-focused interventions that are directly related to preparedness for a coordinated response. Nonetheless, the UN system, INGOs, and the donor community are intensifying their efforts to address this issue. These initiatives must also be coordinated. Paradigms of relief, reaction, and structural mitigation largely influence disaster management techniques on the ground. Political motivations and entrenched interest groups are the main causes of this effect. Furthermore, several studies have consistently highlighted a discrepancy between disaster management policy and its actual implementation. It can be argued that improving and changing policies in Bangladesh is a necessary first step in making local communities more resilient to pressures and shocks from disasters. In the field of catastrophe management, future studies might explore the processes for converting policies into practical applications. Bangladesh's strategy is noteworthy for its successful vertical integration. The national policy places a high priority on community empowerment and engagement because it acknowledges that local communities are frequently the first responders. [The establishment and support of community-based disaster management committees (CBDMCs)](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/eet.2094) is accompanied by training for local volunteers in search and rescue, first aid, and early warning distribution. This guarantees that planning and execution of disaster risk management take into account local knowledge and viewpoints. Bangladesh's DRR strategy incorporates climate change adaptation due to its extreme susceptibility to the effects of climate change. This entails addressing the threats posed by rising sea levels, saline intrusion, and changing weather patterns, as well as developing climate-resilient infrastructure and promoting climate-smart farming practices and sustainable livelihoods. Complementing budgeters and financial inclusion in the [decentralised disaster risk management (DRM),](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/eet.2094) the action plan's localisation in NPDM 2021–2025 will address significant obstacles, lessons learned, and opportunities to improve decentralised DRM in both rural and urban settings. Promoting the involvement and empowerment of local and national actors in decentralised DRM is essential, as is completing the plans to help decision-makers determine whether to expand risk-informed development with a decentralised focus on DRM. Local governments' involvement has apparently enhanced local access to information and support for reconstruction-related activities; however, communication and information gaps still exist regarding reconstruction and related processes, such as resettlement. Additionally, the majority of local governments have set aside a small amount of money for disaster management, with guidelines for how and where to use it. The fact that local governments are increasingly recognized as being responsible for disaster management is becoming more evident. Many community-driven techniques have been established in Bangladesh by the local communities in cooperation with various international and governmental organisations, including non-governmental organisations. In the long run, it helps increase the local community's ability to prepare for and respond to disasters that cause emergencies. [The Ministry of Food and Disaster Management (MoFDM),](https://www.undrr.org/resource/case-study/bridging-national-strategy-and-local-action-bangladeshs-success-vertical-drr) on the other hand, was established by the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) to oversee all disaster management operations nationwide. Additionally, the government now prioritises community and local government participation in the disaster management system. More precisely defined duties and responsibilities for all parties involved are also necessary for better coordination at the local government level, prior to disasters. Plans and laws pertaining to disasters should outline the responsibilities of the various tiers of government, as well as the key local players involved in disaster relief. The ability of local governments to produce timely, disaggregated data required for disaster preparedness, early response, and recovery should be strengthened with funding. Working with local governments on disaster management and reconstruction requires taking into account their perspectives to identify their needs and the most effective policies, initiatives, and training to address them. Local governments, local administrations, and communities must be directly involved in disaster management initiatives to address or circumvent capacity and resource limitations. *By* [*Professor Dr Mohammad Tarikul Islam*](https://hhi.harvard.edu/people/mohammad-tarikul-islam)*, Visiting Scientist, Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, and Visiting Professor at Oxford, Cambridge, and Harvard.* Share on:- [ Facebook ](#) - [ Twitter ](#) - [ Linkedin ](#)