Footsteps Bangladesh working to build community resilience in the face of disasters

In response to the catastrophes created by the global pandemic, Cyclone Amphan and recent floods, Footsteps Bangladesh - a social enterprise, initiated its latest venture called the "Disaster Resilience Program".

The mission of the Disaster Resilience Program (DRP) is to aid and rehabilitate vulnerable communities experiencing various forms of disasters and empower them with resources and knowledge to build their resilience in the face of future disasters all across Bangladesh, said a press release.

"The idea is to create resilient communities which can tackle various forms of disasters independently without any external donor support," the press release added.

Since its initiation in early April 2020, the DRP has aided over 3500 families across Bangladesh in the form of food and medical support, house rebuilding and farming rehabilitation schemes.

DRP identifies communities which are currently struggling due to the consequences of each disaster and provides support according to the need required to restore livelihoods in marginalized communities.

The program will provide support for natural disasters, such as floods, cyclones, landslides and earthquakes; and also during social disasters, such as disease outbreaks, community conflicts, fire and major accidents.

The program consists of two different forms of response: Primary Response and Secondary Response. The Primary Response will serve as an immediate support mechanism for survival during disasters, providing basic necessities such as food, hygiene and medical supplies. The Secondary Response requires more work and time, and should result in long term effects. It consists of rehabilitation schemes within vulnerable communities affected by or at high risk from certain forms of disasters and also plans to build resilience in the face of future disasters, such as building climate resilient homes, supporting farmers with flood resistant crops, etc.

"Together with its primary and secondary responses, DRP aims to build community resilience for the future where communities can tackle disasters like floods and cyclones with their own resources. We at Footsteps intend to introduce resources such as climate resilient housing, flood resistant crops and portable water filters which will improve community's capacity when facing a disaster" said Footsteps Bangladesh Co-Founder and President Shah Rafayat Chowdhury.

Currently, the Covid-19 Response, Cyclone Amphan Response and Flood Response are all a part of Footsteps' DRP. The program runs on the support of individuals and corporations willing to to stand by their local and national communities.

 Footsteps aims to develop the DRP as a lifeline for thousands of people across the country, who are helplessly suffering because of the arising natural and social disasters, and will work towards the vision of every community becoming resilient in tackling disasters independently in the future.