Evidence of adaptation to flooding from three regions in Bangladesh: A multidisciplinary study

This paper reports and analyses the research into approaches to flooding in twelve communities in three regions in Bangladesh during 2010. The study adopted a framework utilising approaches in disaster management literature, particularly the phases of preparation, response and recovery, and relevant multidisciplinary theoretical approaches to disaster management organisations and social capital. The results suggest that there is inadequate state organisation and resources, particularly for infrastructure, during preparation and recovery phases, yet social capital is evident during response phases. However, beyond social capital, communities and individuals develop methods of adapting including, changing farming practices, changing occupations, resettlement and migration to urban labour markets. Unfortunately these adaptations tend to reduce the level of social capital available for disaster response.