Japan-World Bank partnership shields Bangladesh from floods
The Government of Bangladesh (GOB), with assistance from the GFDRR Japan-World Bank Program, is working on innovative infrastructure solutions to enhance community resilience in flood-prone areas, as per a World Bank report.
Bangladesh is highly vulnerable to climate change and prone to disasters, especially floods. The increasing frequency and intensity of floods are affecting more people, particularly the poorest, causing significant damage to property and livelihoods.
The World Bank’s disaster risk management (DRM) projects in Bangladesh involve multipurpose cyclone shelters, roads, bridges, riverbank protections, and early warning systems.
With support from the Japan-World Bank Programme grant, technical assistance was given to improve the planning, design, and implementation of disaster-resilient infrastructure in the country.
In 2023, a grant funded a review of school-cum-shelter designs to improve adaptability, lifespan, and maintenance. The GoB collaborated with experts from Japan and Bangladesh to enhance a four-story multipurpose building for better adaptation and vulnerability reduction.
Building on their experience in Bangladesh, the experts combined traditional Japanese design with local practices, enhancing the project with insights on minimalism, robustness, and functionality.
The GOB valued the focus on minimal design, adaptability, and functional space. For example, using foldable partitions and repositioning doors in classrooms can aid in flexible bed placement during floods. Adding a balcony to the building will provide escape routes during floods and improve airflow and waterproofing. Construction is set to start in late 2024.
This technical assistance supported the implementation of two World Bank projects: The Emergency Multi-Sector Rohingya Crisis Response Project ($165 million) and the Coastal Embankment Improvement Project—Phase 1 ($375 million).
It also contributed to the preparation of the Resilient Rural Infrastructure Building Project, a $500 million investment by the World Bank.
Attribution: The World Bank report
