Policy Recommendation for Strengthening Capacity for Urban Disaster Management through Open and Distance Learning in Bangladesh

Abstract

The adverse effects of climate change-induced geo-environmental changes have turned Bangladesh prone to intensifying recurring hazards like- floods, erratic rainfall, landslides, cyclones, storm surges, riverbank erosion, deforestation, droughts, and many more. Earthquake has also been identified as a hazard in Bangladesh.  In addition, congested and unhealthy residential areas with high population density, inadequate infrastructural transport and communication facilities, and limited urban disaster management capabilities have been worsening the situation.  The main theme of the study was to explore the ways of capacity building of disaster management in Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) through the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) approach offered by the School of Social Sciences, Humanities, and Languages (SSHL), Bangladesh Open University (BOU). The BOU has extensive access to communicate and spread knowledge to its large number of learners within the shortest possible time. Hence, the present research attempted to explore the prospects of the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) approach for strengthening the capacity of urban disaster management through BOU by forming skilled Urban Disaster Volunteer (UDV) teams in different parts of the DCC. Creating and incorporating an Urban Disaster Management (UDM) knowledge pool regarding the hazard and disaster modes, types, seasons, and patterns should be developed to strengthen the Urban Disaster Management Capacity (UDMC). A dynamic cooperation between the national policymakers and local stakeholders has to be accomplished to establish improved awareness through acquiring hazard and disaster-relevant knowledge, and the ability to cope with inevitable disasters.