Assessment of Structural Weakness of Government Response to Natural Hazards

Social protection mechanisms are considered as the key tools to improve the livelihood of a community. This study explores the governance challenges and gaps of social protection mechanisms related to livelihood of riverine island (char) communities. Structural weakness and governance response were measured by analyzing policy options, implementation and inclusiveness consisting of accountability, transparency and peoples’ participation in the governing process. Survey data were collected from 374 char dwellers and 15 institutional members. Secondary data were collected from various organizations’ published documents, journal articles, books, and newspapers. The study reveals that system of government response mechanisms are very poor in the char area due to geographic isolation, poor communication and transportation networks, recurrent flooding, riverbank erosion, earthquakes, and cyclones. It also reveals that service providers are reluctant to work in the isolated islands due to poor accommodation. Char dwellers are thus deprived of basic services such as education, health, water, sanitation, skill development trainings, and employment. This study indicates the need for char specific policies, programs, and institutional interventions to improve the livelihood resilience of char dwellers.