Learning Lessons from Disaster Recovery: The Case of Bangladesh

This study is part of a five-country review of lessons learned from recovery after major natural disasters. The other four country studies – on Honduras, India, Mozambique and Turkey – have been completed, and a Synthesis Report will be issued that summarizes the findings of the review. The lesson learning review as a whole has analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of recovery assistance from governments, donors, and civil society following major natural disasters, with a focus on identifying replicable good practice.
Bangladesh was selected as a case study as it is representative of a predominantly agricultural developing country with high levels of rural poverty; in addition, it is extremely susceptible to natural hazards, especially floods. A particular focus of this study has been on the recovery of poorer households, as these households are usually most in need of external support following major natural disasters.