Coastal Devlopment Partnership

The Coastal Development Partnership (CDP) successfully conducted a Participatory Climate and Disaster Risk Assessment (PCDRA) Workshop in Jhenaidah, one of the five selected program areas under the climate‑resilience initiative. The workshop brought together community members, local leaders, women, youth, farmers, and disaster‑affected families to assess climate vulnerabilities and co‑develop solutions tailored to the Jhenaidah context.

A Community‑Led Climate Assessment for Jhenaidah

Using globally recognized tools such as the CLIMA Toolkit and Climate‑Induced Human Insecurity (CIHI) methods, the workshop facilitated an in‑depth understanding of how climate change is affecting local communities. The event was supported by international partners including Bread for All, HEKS, Brot für die Welt, and FAKT, with facilitation from SPACE and active engagement of local government bodies in Jhenaidah.

Understanding Local Risk and Exposure

The assessment in the Jhenaidah working area revealed the community’s exposure to multiple climate hazards, such as:

• Riverbank erosion
• Seasonal flooding
• Waterlogging
• Cyclones and strong winds
• Salinity intrusion (in some pockets)
• Heat stress and drought
• Agricultural pest outbreaks

These hazards significantly affect crop production, drinking water availability, livestock, housing structures, income stability, and overall community well‑being.

Livelihoods and Vulnerability Profile

Similar to the findings across the five program areas, Jhenaidah showed:

• Heavy dependence on agriculture, fisheries, livestock, and day labor, making households vulnerable to extreme weather.
• Significant proportions of women‑headed households, landless people, elderly residents, and persons with disabilities who face higher risk during disasters.
• Limited access to safe drinking water, resilient housing, and adequate sanitation facilities, which worsens community vulnerability.
• High levels of seasonal migration due to loss of income during hazard periods.

Participation and Inclusive Decision‑Making

Participants included a diverse group representing farmers, women, youth leaders, persons with disabilities, local school authorities, and members of Union Parishad committees. Through participatory mapping, hazard ranking, and vulnerability scoring, the community identified the most climate‑affected households and villages within the Jhenaidah working area.

Key Priorities Identified for Jhenaidah

Participants collectively prioritized an action plan focused on:

• Rehabilitation of embankments and river protection structures
• Improved drainage systems to reduce waterlogging
• More cyclone‑ and flood‑resilient shelters
• Access to safe drinking water through deep tube wells or filtration systems
• Climate‑resilient agriculture such as drought‑tolerant crops and improved irrigation
• Emergency preparedness training, especially for women and youth
• Livelihood diversification, including homestead gardening, small enterprises, and skill development
• Strengthening early warning systems in local communities

Workshop Outcomes

The Jhenaidah PCDRA workshop resulted in:

• A community‑driven Climate and Disaster Risk Map for the area
• A seasonal calendar showing hazard patterns and livelihood cycles
• A risk‑sensitive action plan with roles assigned to local committees
• Identification of the most vulnerable households needing urgent support
• Strengthened collaboration between communities, local government, NGOs, and development partners

Looking Ahead

The findings from the Jhenaidah workshop will be integrated into local development planning and used to mobilize resources for climate adaptation. CDP and local stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to long‑term climate resilience, continuous monitoring, and ensuring that marginalized groups remain at the center of decision‑making.