18-12, Nishiochiai 2-chome,
Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 161-8575, Japan
Phone: +81-3-5906-0211
FAX: +81-3-5906-0112

Natural Disaster Prevention

BACKGROUND & PURPOSE OF PROJECT

Cyclone Sidr, one of the largest cyclones ever recorded, hit Bangladesh from November 15 to 16,2007, causing damage in 30 out of the country’s 64 districts. According to the announcement made bythe Bangladeshi government on December 17 that year, the number of people affected by the cyclone was 8,920,000, the number of fatalities was 3,363, and 871 persons were recorded as missing. Damage was especially severe in the four districts (Pirojpur, Patuakhali, Bagerhat and Barguna) where the cyclone made landfall.
JICA dispatched the Bangladesh Cyclone Disaster Reconstruction Needs Assessment Study Team from December 8 to December 18 to facilitate the smooth implementation of grant aid for disaster prevention and reconstruction, and the Study Team gauged the extent of damage, confirmed medium and long-term needs concerning recovery and reconstruction, and examined the support (financial cooperation and technical cooperation) required in the recovery and reconstruction stage. Based on the results of the needs assessment, out of the medium and long-term support needs, there is an absolute deficiency in the number of cyclone shelters and, considering reports that many residents were unable to evacuate during Sidr too, this is the area that requires the highest priority support. Accordingly, in response to the request from the Government of Bangladesh for Grant Aid for Disaster Prevention and Reconstruction, an outline design study regarding the construction of cyclone shelters will be implemented in the four worst affected prefectures.
The Project aims to mitigate damage incurred by residents during cyclone disasters through constructing multipurpose cyclone shelters in the four districts (Pirojpur, Patuakhali, Bagerhat and Barguna) that were hardest hit by Cyclone Sadr.

CHARACTERISTICS, CONCEPT, STANCE & SKILLS OF PROJECT

In view of the request of the Government of Bangladesh and the findings of the needs assessment survey, field survey and discussions, the Project was compiled based on the following principles.
• The shelters shall comprise structures that are capable of withstanding the strong winds and storm surges of cyclones.
• Based on the standard design for cyclone shelters cum primary schools in Bangladesh, the facilities shall serve as shelters during cyclones and as primary schools at normal times.
• In consideration of the local climate characterized by high temperatures and high humidity, facilities shall be designed with good natural ventilation and shade against sunlight.
• Effort shall be made to utilize local resources (materials and human resources, etc.) and reduce costs through adopting rational designs.
• Quality shall be secured through conducting appropriate supervision during design and works execution.
Since it is vitally important that the completed facilities are maintained in good condition at normal times, the Project shelters shall be constructed on the sites of public primary schools, where it is possible to make sufficient use of the existing facility management organizations. Out of 50 schools that were indicated by the Bangladesh side, 38 schools have been selected for shelter construction based on 10 selection criteria including availability of construction site, existence of evacuation facilities or sites (either existing or planned), existence of facilities management committees, and so on.

EFFECT OF PROJECT

(1) Direct Effects and Extent of Improvement
Increase in the cyclone shelter evacuation population.
With the construction of 38 shelters under the Project, some 62,200 people living in target areas will be able to evacuate, and they will be able to lead their lives with peace of mind.
(2) Indirect effects
Improvement in the education environment.
Classrooms that ensure safety in the event of disasters will be secured for 6,470 schoolchildren (7,870 children if pre-school children are included) attending 38 primary schools in the target areas. The number of children per classroom, including pre-school children, will be reduced from 57.5 to 33.1, thereby leading to improvement in the education environment.