ABSTRACT
Disaster risk reduction (DRR) intervention has evolved as a well-recognized disaster management strategy. Being a top-down approach, the effectiveness of DRR interventions largely depends on consultation and coordination among policymakers, legislators, civil societies, communities, and other stakeholders. Although several scholars have critically examined the DRR interventions from different perspectives, little research has focused on community prioritization in DRR intervention (CPDRRI), especially in the context of the southwest coastal areas of Bangladesh. Geographically, this region of Bangladesh is characterized by the occurrence of frequent natural disasters including cyclone, tidal surges, and floods. To critically examine community prioritization in DRR interventions, this chapter explored some key aspects of community participation in DRR such as consultation with local people, local people’s ownership, the value of local people’s knowledge, accountability and transparency of stakeholders, and gender priorities at the local level. Based on field research and a review of secondary literature, this chapter revealed that only a limited participatory approach was followed by various stakeholders. The findings further showed that a lack of consideration of local people’s needs and voices undermined the success of various DRR intervention programs. Therefore, there is an urgent need for greater community participation and better coordination among stakeholders for DRR interventions to be effective and successful.
