Grameen Swapna

As global climate changes, the risk of floods, drought and severe storms increase. It is projected that rising global temperatures will cause increased drought, increased water stress in many parts of the world, damage from storms, and coastal flooding affecting millions more people each year. Almost 20 million of Bangladesh’s population is below the poverty line and especially vulnerable to natural disasters. With climate change, it is possible that 40% of the country will flood during the monsoon season, compared to 25% today.

Climate change increases disaster risk. Grameen Swapna adopts a holistic approach to relief and rehabilitation, addressing climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction techniques in the communities we work. Our relief and rehabilitation programme follows three phases: the immediate emergency relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction, and disaster risk management and preparedness.

Emergency Relief
Emergency relief is a vital part of Grameen Swapna’s work to create lasting solutions to poverty. Many poor communities in the developing world lack the basic resources to cope with the struggles of everyday life. When disaster strikes, that struggle becomes all but impossible without assistance. When disaster strikes, whether it is a flood, a cyclone and winter a team from Friendship immediately goes to the affected area and works with other organizations and bodies to reach people as quickly as possible. Our priorities are to provide We provide immediate relief to the victims of a disaster to alleviate their suffering. We provide the provision of food, winter clothing, immediate healthcare and shelter, access to clean water. After a quick survey of how many people are injured and taking a count of how many families will need relief, packets of food and basic essentials are distributed.

Rehabilitation and Reconstruction:
After the immediate relief is over, the next stage is to help people return to normal lives, with an upgrade. Before starting reconstruction Friendship assesses which of the disaster victims are the poorest and most affected. We provide material to rebuild safer, more durable homes, so that inhabitants of thatched huts go back to tin roofs. Friendship ensures fresh drinkable water by providing tube wells and cleaning ponds, and builds sanitary latrines alongside the new homes. Disaster survivors are introduced to our income generation programme which provides means for livelihood, through the provision of boats, solar panels, seeds and fertilizer, and fisheries and poultry.

Risk Management and Preparedness
Once the community has recovered from the disaster, it is important to make sure they are prepared for the next one. Grameen Swapna helps in anticipating disasters and taking action to protect life and property. In the northern chars, Grameen Swapna acts as a bank for people who know they will at some point lose their homes in floods, and who wish to set aside some savings until then. Grameen Swapna’s education programme includes Environmental Science as a primary school subject. Students are taught about what causes floods and cyclones, when to expect them, what precautions to take and how to act when disasters strike.