1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Book project: where people and their land are safer - A Compendium of Good Practices in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) (where people and their land are safer)

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Swiss Red Cross (Swiss Red Cross) - Switzerland

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

04/10/2016

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Ja

1.4 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

Nee

Comments:

The technology presented has no direct bearing on land degradation.

1.5 Reference to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Approaches

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Emergency infrastructure, shelter and access, consists in establishing flood shelters (for people and animals) including flood-proof collective water sources and communication infrastructure as well as health and school facilities cum emergency shelters. The infrastructure is adapted to the specific context of the ‘Char’ land in Bangladesh. Together with improved flood related forecasting measures this allows for a relatively safe and healthy living and has led to increased and timely land use, resulting in adapted livelihoods, reduced health costs and increased income.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The technology applies to the specific context of the ‘char’ land, characterised as riverine sandy island. More than 80% of the land in the intervention area can be classified as Char and is inhabited by 60% of the population served by the project. Every year, especially during floods, the rivers deposit huge amount of silt sediment that makes the land fertile. At the same time, river action washes away some portion of the char which at times can be quite large and has a strong impact on people's lives and livelihoods. The char land is furthermore characterised by its lack of public infrastructure and remoteness to public services.

The technology is applied largely in relation to human environment. It consists of setting up an emergency infrastructure and ensuring access during times of crises/hazards. It has to be understood in close interrelation with approach of setting up an early warning system (for a description of the related approach, see reference in section 1.5 above). The emergency infrastructure includes flood shelters (for people and animals), flood-proof collective water sources and sanitation systems, communication infrastructure such as foot bridges and elevated rural roads, as well as flood-proof health and school facilities that also serve as emergency shelters during hazards. The purpose of the technology is to ensure safety of life and protection of assets during times of emergency and also to mitigate sufferings related to floods. The major activities include facilitating the development of community-led risk reduction action plans and their implementation through community participation and engagement of local governance institutions. This includes maintenance of the built infrastructure as the joint responsibility of the community and the local government.

Land use, especially sowing and harvesting, is increasingly linked to flood related forecasting measures which has led to significant adaptation in the timing of farming activities. This coupled with the creation and access to emergency infrastructure allows for a relatively safe and healthy living. The adopted technology and approach has led to adapted livelihoods, reduced health costs and increased income. The technology has furthermore led to mainstreaming disaster risk management in policies and approach of local government institutions. Increasingly the local goverment’s cash and food for work programmes are targeting establishment and/or reinforcement of emergency infrastructure that can cater to larger population. Increased investments are made especially towards flood shelters and improving communication and access to emergency infrastructure. Since the technology is based on local knowledge and has been developed in consultation with the involved communities, it is generally well accepted with a fair degree of ownership and involvement. However, parts of the region are also prone to river erosion and this has a destructive impact on built infrastructures. The technology does not assure any safeguard against this form of uncertain river action.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

2014

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:

• less than 10 years ago (recently)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• as part of a traditional system (> 50 years)
• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

The technology has elements of traditional practice (raised plinths for flood protection) and project promoted interventions (emergency shelter and access infrastructure).

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• reduce risk of disasters
• create beneficial economic impact
• create beneficial social impact

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Comments:

Despite the lack of public infrastructure and services and being exposed to natural hazards people tend to prefer to live in the char as it brings significant economic benefits for them: crops grow rapidly and abundantly with significantly lower input costs than on the mainland.

If land use has changed due to the implementation of the Technology, indicate land use before implementation of the Technology:

Before the intervention, people living on char land depended on their traditional early warning mechanisms and were frequently surprised by floods that destroyed their crops and put their lives in danger. Due to recurring floods, people didn’t have the means to improve their built environment.

3.3 Further information about land use

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

Comments:

Water supply for the land comprises a mix of rainfed, irrigated and post flooding sources.

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 3

Specify:

Kharif (monsoon crop), Rabi (winter crop), and Summer/pre-monsoon crop

Livestock density (if relevant):

Cow, buffalo, goat, lamb and donkey are very common in the area. People rear these for cultivation, transportation and for having meat. Every household have at least a pair or more of livestock.

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• improved ground/ vegetation cover

• Emergency infrastructure, shelter and access

3.5 Spread of the Technology

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• evenly spread over an area

If the Technology is evenly spread over an area, indicate approximate area covered:

• 1-10 km2

Comments:

Though emergency infrastructures are built at specific sites, their use and benefits are evenly spread over an expanded area.

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

In addition to the structural and management measures described above, the technology involves additional elements such as flood-proof collective water supply and sanitation systems and communication infrastructure.

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Comments:

NA

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

The built structural mitigation options have following technical specification:

1. School plinth: Dimension: Length-112' x Width-75' x Height- 5.5', plinth slope- 1:1.5, Capacity: 540 person, Construction material used: soil and turfing (grass)
2. Flood shelter: Dimension: Length-220' x Width-220' x Height- 5.5', plinth slope- 1:1.5, Capacity: 350 families, Construction material used: soil and turfing (grass)
3. Road construction/repair: Dimension: Length-925' x Width-12' x Height- 3' (from existing level), plinth slope- 1:1.5, Capacity: 3 villages (approx:1000 families), Construction material used: soil and turfing (grass).
4. Wooden bridge: Dimension: Length-60' x Width-7' x Height- 12', plinth slope- 1:1.5, Capacity: 600 families approximately, Construction material used: wood, nails, tar, soil and turfing
5. Community Resource Centre cum Community Clinic (CRC-CC): Dimension: Length-110' x Width-80' x Height- 5.6', slop- 1:1.5, (Building size: 100' x 18' x 10') Capacity: 2000 families in 5 village, Construction material used: soil and turfing (grass), bricks, sand, cement, rod, iron angel and CGI sheet.
6. Disaster resilient tube well: Dimension: Length-5' 10" x Width-5' x Height- 3', Boring:100 feet, Capacity: 200 families, Construction material used: bricks, sand, cement, rod, tube well head, pvc pipe, cylinder, piston rod etc. Vertical intervals: 2 in each village.
7. Tube well platform: Dimension: Length-4' 10" x Width-4' x Height- 1', Capacity: 100 families, Construction material used: bricks, sand, cement, pvc pipe

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology unit

other/ national currency (specify):

Bangladeshi Taka (BDT)

Indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (if relevant): 1 USD =:

79.0

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	Raising school compound	Structural	During dry season
2.	Construction of Flood Shelter	Structural	During dry season
3.	Road construction above flood level	Structural	During dry season
4.	Construction of wooden bridge	Structural	During dry season
5.	Construction of Community Resource Center (CRC) house	Structural	During dry season
6.	Installation of disaster resilient (DRR) tube well	Structural	During dry season
7.	Construction of concrete platform of old tube well	Structural	During dry season

Comments:

As can be seen that all the above activities are structural in nature and can be undertaken efficiently only in dry season.

4.5 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

If possible, break down the costs of establishment according to the following table, specifying inputs and costs per input. If you are unable to break down the costs, give an estimation of the total costs of establishing the Technology:

43064900.0

If land user bore less than 100% of costs, indicate who covered the remaining costs:

10% of all construction cost (except CRC) is borne by the user. Another 15% (approx) is provided by the local government bodies. Remaining 75% is subsidised by the project.

Comments:

Defining costs of establishment is bit tricky as the establishments are not same in nature and also size and costs vary from one village to another depending on the geographical location. However, average unit costs of built assets are given below:

1. School plinth: average unit cost: 125,000BDT, Number of unit constructed:4, Total cost: 500,000 BDT
2. Flood shelter: average unit cost: 496,000BDT, Number of unit constructed:4, Total cost:1,488,000 BDT
3. Road construction/repair: average unit cost: 92,000BDT, Number of unit constructed:4, Total cost:20, 368,000 BDT
4. Wooden bridge: average unit cost: 85,000BDT, Number of unit constructed:4, Total cost: 340,000 BDT
5. Community Resource Centre cum Community Clinic (CRC-CC): average unit cost: 1,800,000BDT, Number of unit constructed:3, Total cost:5,400,000 BDT
6. Disaster resilient tube well: average unit cost: 30,000BDT, Number of unit constructed:53, Total cost:1,590,000 BDT
7. Tube well platform: average unit cost: 4,700BDT, Number of unit constructed:790, Total cost:3,713,000 BDT

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Raising school compound	Structural	During dry season
2.	Construction of Flood Shelter	Structural	During dry season
3.	Road construction above flood level	Structural	During dry season
4.	Construction of wooden bridge	Structural	During dry season
5.	Construction of Community Resource Center (CRC) house	Structural	During dry season
6.	Installation of disaster resilient (DRR) tube well	Structural	During dry season
7.	Construction of concrete platform of old tube well	Structural	During dry season

Comments:

The user and local government (UDMC) are mainly responsible for maintenance of all built assets and structures including the CRC. The relevant operation/repair and maintenance training has been provided by the project.. Maintenance manuals and guidelines have been developed and disseminated. Also, repair and maintenance equipment has been provided to cadre of users/caretakers trained in repair/maintenance work.

4.7 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

If land user bore less than 100% of costs, indicate who covered the remaining costs:

N/A

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Transportation of raw material to sites varies across seasons. In the dry season it is much higher compared to monsoon as the delivery of material is easier in the latter due to extended river outreach.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

Comments and further specifications on topography:

Information on altitudinal zone collected from the website: www.getamap.net

5.3 Soils

If available, attach full soil description or specify the available information, e.g. soil type, soil PH/ acidity, Cation Exchange Capacity, nitrogen, salinity etc.

N/A

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

Nee

Is flooding of the area occurring?

Ja

Regularity:

frequently

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

In the dry season water crisis occurs. Open defecation and use of pesticide in farming are key pollutants of water sources.

5.5 Biodiversity

Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

Biodiversity can be rated as moderate or medium both in terms of species and habitat. It is stable and and often self generating.

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

N/A

5.7 Average area of land owned or leased by land users applying the Technology

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:

• state
• individual, not titled

Land use rights:

• open access (unorganized)
• leased

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)
• individual

Comments:

Land ownership is quite complex as Chars by nature are unstable habitats. In principle land is owned by state but in most cases the politician - musclemen nexus exercises real control. This results in leasing and renting of land which is the predominant form of land ownership in Chars.

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Water availability and quality

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Climate and disaster risk reduction

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

Comments regarding impact assessment:

N/A

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
local rainstorm	moderately
local sandstorm/ duststorm	well
local windstorm	well

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
heatwave	well
cold wave	well
drought	well

Hydrological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
general (river) flood	well
landslide	not well

Comments:

In some cases the appropriate answer would have been "not applicable" but since this is not there, we have selected "well".

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?

Comments:

The limited returns that have been generated by the project is highly valued by the users from a cost - benefit perspective; especially when they understand that the project is not directly linked to land management practices. Thus, the indirect benefits are perceived to have high value.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• more than 50%

If available, quantify (no. of households and/ or area covered):

Out of a total of 8828 HHs targeted by the project, around five thousand HHs in three union have benefitted from the implementation of the technology.

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many have did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?

• 0-10%

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

Ja

If yes, indicate to which changing conditions it was adapted:

• labour availability (e.g. due to migration)

Specify adaptation of the Technology (design, material/ species, etc.):

Dredging machine has been used for building some emergency infrastructure at few sites due to unavailability of labour at the time of construction.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
- Emergency structures have a multipurpose use that includes community meeting, workshop and training - Expanded opportunities of communication during flood

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
- Community is aware and driven to implement flood preparedness and risk reduction measures on its own - Appropriate measures can significantly change people's mindset and behaviour

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view	How can they be overcome?
- River erosion threatens built structures - High investment needed for building physical structures (e.g. CRC building) in the char which the local government and community find difficult to finance without external support.	- Careful site selection for construction work through in depth discussion with community people supported by scientific analysis - Install portable semi-permanent structures in the char - Lobby for greater decentralisation of finances to local government

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Latrine and Tube well maintenance manual, SRC-BDRCS-DASCOH

Available from where? Costs?

SRC

7.3 Links to relevant information which is available online

Title/ description:

N/A