Bangladesh
Bangladesh is vulnerable to natural disasters due to the frequency of extreme climate events and its high population density. In recent years, the number and severity of floods has caused extreme economic and human losses. The effects of climate change poses even more risks for Bangladesh. The impact of higher temperatures, more variable precipitation, more extreme weather events, and sea level rise are already felt in Bangladesh and will only continue to intensify.
VSO Bangladesh is leading a programme that focuses on social transformation/community empowerment and policy advocacy. Our goal is to bring about hard development outcomes and impact in the areas of secure livelihood rights, inclusive health rights and good governance. The core implementing partners are the community members themselves with support provided through volunteers (local and international) and local government structures. There are around 35 international volunteers at any one time.
Our placements within the EU Aid Volunteers pilot are designed to address the constant threat of sudden shocks – due to climate change, natural disasters and manmade environmental disasters – which often affect the lives of poor people the most. They will also focus on the most vulnerable groups in society such as women, ethnic minorities and young people.
You'll work with local partners to address issues of water and airborne diseases in an environment vulnerable to natural shocks. You will support the most vulnerable groups to increase their resilient to natural shocks and build the capacity building of national and regional bodies focussed on climate change and disaster preparedness.
You'll also work to develop more resilient and sustainable livelihoods by promoting livestock as the alternative suitable livelihood where land-based crops are jeopardised by prolonged drought. You'll also promote environmentally friendly good practice to mitigate the potential for devastating natural shocks.
EU Aid Volunteers in Bangladesh will be sent to nine placements within the VSO programme. Eight volunteers will work in the south west or north west of Bangladesh - both areas which experience extreme vulnerability to environmental shocks and crises. One volunteer will also be placed in Dhaka working at the Centre for Disaster and Vulnerability Studies.
