In the disaster-prone coastal region of Cox’s Bazar, local volunteers are the first line of defense against recurring hazards, from cyclones to landslides. Equipped not just with bravery, but with vital training in multi-hazard early warning systems, they stand between their communities and disaster, saving lives when every second counts. This story highlights the experiences of these volunteers, their challenges, and how new training initiatives are empowering them to take on even greater leadership roles in disaster preparedness.
(from left) Rahat, Md. Sahab Uddin, and Mohammad Sahjan share their experiences and challenges as volunteers with the Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP), highlighting the volunteers’ critical role in protecting their communities from natural disasters.
"I had always been curious about cyclones—how they form, where they come from, and what the warning signals mean. I wanted to protect my family and community from them,” shares Rahat, a volunteer and team leader with the Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP) in Cox’s Bazar. “So, when I learned about the Cyclone Preparedness Programme from a friend, I joined the team.”
Md. Sahab Uddin, a seasoned volunteer, vividly recalls the moment that set him on his path. In 1991, a devastating cyclone ravaged his community, leaving his family stranded and vulnerable. The chaos and helplessness he witnessed during that disaster left a deep impact on him. Now, 40 years old, his commitment to ensuring no family suffers as his did drives his work as a volunteer.
For many like Sahab and Rahat, their motivation is rooted in personal experience, but the respect and admiration they receive from their communities reinforce their dedication. "People in our community respect us for our voluntary work because we don’t receive compensation for our service," says Mohammad Sahjan, another CPP volunteer. The prestige and pride they feel as volunteers are more than just a title; it’s a badge of honor.
Many of these volunteers first developed their sense of community service during high school, as members of Scouts. These early experiences instilled a lifelong commitment to volunteerism and helping others, which has become a cornerstone of their identity.
The Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP)
Established in 1972 in response to the catastrophic Bhola Cyclone of 1970, the CPP was formed to address the urgent need for organized disaster preparedness at the community level. In partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the government of Bangladesh, the CPP has grown into a vital force for proactive disaster response. Today, more than 76,000 volunteers across the country are trained in early warning dissemination, first aid, and search and rescue operations, helping safeguard even the most vulnerable communities. Once cyclone warnings are issued by the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), these volunteers quickly mobilize, ensuring that community members receive timely and accurate information.
In Cox’s Bazar, volunteers come from all walks of life–students, farmers, shopkeepers–but they all share a common goal: protecting their communities from the harsh impacts of natural disasters. The programme has expanded over the years to address not just cyclones but also hazards like floods, landslides, and lightning strikes, making volunteers indispensable in a region that faces regular threats from nature.
Facing the Challenges of Disaster Response
Despite their dedication, volunteers face significant challenges. Cyclones remain the most visible threat, but dangers like landslides triggered by extreme rainfall and lightning strikes are increasingly putting lives at risk in the Cox’s Bazar region. "People sometimes don’t understand the potential impact from a warning," explains Sahjan, describing how a lack of interpretation and situational awareness can lead to delays in evacuations and heighten vulnerability.
Volunteers like Rahat also face logistical challenges: “we don’t get any financial support, not even transport costs for the duties we perform,” he says. We don’t receive food or snacks while working, and we bear all the expenses ourselves.” Despite these hardships, the volunteers’ passion for serving their communities remains steadfast. Yet, the need for better support and resources to sustain their vital work is evident.
Training for the Future: Enhancing Skills in Forecast Interpretation
To help overcome the challenges of the lack of awareness, initiatives like the Strengthening Last Mile Communications (SLMC) project are equipping volunteers with the tools they need to better understand and interpret weather forecasts. The project has engaged the CPP volunteers in multiple ways, such as providing training, disseminating mobile voice alerts and advisories, and involving them in data collection on risks, vulnerabilities, and exposure in their localities.
On 28 August 2024, the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES) organized a Forecast Interpretation and Capacity Building Training in Cox's Bazar for 41 CPP volunteers from Teknaf, Ukhiya, and Cox’s Bazar Sadar Upazila.
RIMES, through the SLMC Project, conducting a Forecast Interpretation and Capacity Building in Cox's Bazar.
As part of the SLMC program, this initiative aims to empower local community volunteers as change agents by expanding their knowledge beyond cyclones to include other hazards such as flash floods, lightning, heatwaves, and heavy rainfall. The training aimed to provide volunteers with a deeper understanding of weather forecasts and how to use this information to save lives, particularly by enhancing their understanding of weather and risk information, the fundamentals of a multi-hazard early warning system, and new features of the INSTANT Portal, a platform that provides real-time risk and resource information, including lightning nowcasting systems and heat stress alerts.
Funded by USAID through the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) and implemented by RIMES, the SLMC program seeks to improve disaster preparedness and risk mitigation by effectively disseminating timely early warning information to last-mile users in Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
“We are grateful to be part of such initiatives. Understanding the impacts of weather forecasts is vital in our job as CPP volunteers. I particularly appreciate the INSTANT Portal which I now regularly visit to learn about the weather in our area and anticipate potential scenarios that may occur,” shared Rahat.
Strengthening Community Resilience: The Road Ahead
While volunteers are familiar with cyclone signals, interpreting the full impact from weather forecasts remains a challenge. The knowledge they have gained from training is invaluable, but they are eager for more and are ready to take on a larger role in their communities.
"People need to understand the impact from a forecast so they can take timely actions," Rahat emphasizes. "We need longer and more practical training sessions," he adds, calling for master trainer programs that would empower volunteers to independently host awareness sessions—such as courtyard meetings—to teach their communities about weather forecasts, disaster risk information, and how to stay safe.
As the impacts of climate change intensify, the role of CPP volunteers will only grow in importance. Their dedication, resilience, and thirst for knowledge not only help protect their communities from immediate disaster impacts but also empower them to mitigate future risks. In a world where early warning-early action can make the difference between life and death, these volunteers serve as the heart and backbone of community resilience in Cox’s Bazar.
RIMES, through programs like the SLMC project, is committed to ensuring that volunteers, communities, and nations are equipped with the knowledge and resources needed to safeguard lives and livelihoods. This ongoing support will ensure that RIMES member countries are not only better prepared for immediate disaster response but also able to mitigate future risks through proactive, localized, and sustainable solutions.
Written by: Sakib Imtiaz