About us

Background

As Global FOREWARN evolved, it became clear that  forecast-based  decision  making  was required  at  the  local  level  in  order  for anticipation  and  early  action  to  be operationalized and contextually relevant. Our goal  is  to  emulate  and  decentralize  the FOREWARN  model  of  interdisciplinary, multilateral collaboration involving forecast and risk  analysis  experts  together  with humanitarians, in accord with Start Network's commitment to localization.

 

Scope

  • Build  and  coordinate  the  hazard  specific experts’ groups
  • Research,  analyse,  monitor  and  discuss upcoming risks in order to take action for preventing  and  mitigating  the  impacts  of predictable disasters
  • Evaluate and select forecasting tools and information to use in anticipatory decision making
  • Build  and  develop  the  early  action community  and  access  opportunities  in consortia;  including  but  not  limited  to funding
  • Advise, inform and guide the development and running of the Start Fund Bangladesh Crisis Anticipation Window

 

Activities

FOREWARN Bangladesh is actively working with local experts on hazards and risks to improve disaster management in the country. At the same time, we're helping member organisations of Start Bangladesh with technical support to better prepare for potential issues. This collaboration has been crucial in conducting important research on a new approach called forecast-based action.

This joint effort is a key part of FOREWARN's mission to bring positive changes to disaster management practices in Bangladesh. By working closely with local experts and supporting organisations on the ground, we aim to strengthen the country's ability to anticipate and deal with potential risks. We also want to create new and effective ways to manage disasters proactively.

Our commitment reflects a forward-thinking approach, highlighting the importance of being prepared early to lessen the impact of disasters on communities and improve overall resilience. Through these collaborations, FOREWARN Bangladesh aims to be a leader in finding new solutions that reshape how we respond to disasters in the region.

 

Dengue Risk Analysis 2020

FOREWARN Bangladesh Health experts group conducted a dengue risk study in early 2020 that  investigated  several  climate  variables  such  as  rainfall,  temperature,  humidity  and historical case analysis from 2000 to 2019. This allowed the FOREWARN Health Expert Group to determine the peak time period of dengue outbreak and develop a surveillance model that allowed the team to discover dengue hotspots. FOREWARN Bangladesh also developed an experts  group  for  landslide,  who  supported  the  development  of  Landslide  Vulnerability Analysis in Bandarban and Rangamati district in Bangladesh.

The  early  actions  implemented  included  a  mosquito  extermination  program  in  dengue- hotspots, dengue diagnosis kits in local hospitals, training of medical and non-medical staff on clinical management and a specialized dengue remedial ward for vulnerable communities.

 

Landslide Vulnerability Analysis in CHT

FOREWARN Bangladesh also developed an experts group for landslide, who supported the development of Landslide Vulnerability Analysis in Bandarban and Rangamati district in Bangladesh.

A landslide susceptibility map was developed using a frequency ratio model. The  landslide  susceptibility  map  of  the  study  area  showed  very  low,  low, moderate, high, and very high landslide susceptibility zones of the study area. The model established the relationship between landslide conditioning factors and landslide distribution map by integrating several factors, such as elevation, slope  aspect,  slope  curvature,  topographic  wetted  index  (TWI),  rainfall, normalized differential vegetation index (NDVI) and land use and land cover (LULC) etc. The analysis also revealed the socio-economic, political instability and vulnerability of the selected areas.

 

Cold Wave Anticipatory Actions 2021

FOREWARN Bangladesh experts attempted to comprehend previous temperature events and their effects, in addition to the present forecast. In the north-west district of Bangladesh, where coldwaves frequently occur, Forewarn had few community discussions in the last year. The purpose of this brief research is to present a concise narrative supported by statistics to facilitate preparation, if necessary. Forewarn Bangladesh created a mechanism to collect observed data from community leaders to adjust available forecast & share forecast to take useful anticipatory actions.

With the assistance of SFB members, information was gathered from  eleven  districts  in  Bangladesh.  Experts  from  FOREWARN Bangladesh made recommendations for the development of this research.  This  analysis  led  to  the  development  of  a  standard operating procedure (SOP) for carrying out the anticipated activities outlined. FOREWARN Bangladesh also developed an experts group for landslide, who supported the development of Landslide

 

Anticipatory Action on Riverbank Erosion

Riverbank erosion alone has rendered millions homeless and has become a severe social hazard. Structural interventions to provide protection against riverbank erosion are very costly. FOREWARN has been monitoring the water level forecasting of FFWC and GloFAS beside volunteers from our selected locations in Kurigram (Chilmari & Ulipur Upazila), Gaibandha (Fulchari & Sadar Upazila), Jamalpur (Sarishabari), and Sirajganj (Shahjadpur upazila) districts, from our database of potential HHs to be eroded. Based on the analysis, FOREWARN experts suggestions and monitoring, the very systematic approach has been introduced with having a lead-time (as its very first kind) for Anticipatory Action on Riverbank erosion. Eventually, based on the riverbank erosion (RBE) EAP, a RBE threshold was met in Sirajganj to support the potential households which had been selected earlier.

 

FOREWARN Disaster Hackathon 1.0

FOREWARN Bangladesh, in collaboration with Open Mapping Hub - Asia Pacific, introduced the country’s first-ever hackathon on disaster. The primary objective of this visionary event was to inspire and engage the creative intellect of the country's youth in a concerted effort to craft innovations that could effectively address humanitarian challenges. It aimed to drive the development of solutions that could bring about transformative change in disaster preparedness and response, ultimately contributing to the well-being and resilience of communities in Bangladesh.

 

FOREWARN expresses profound gratitude to both our esteemed FOREWARN experts and our dedicated Youth experts for their invaluable contributions. Their innovative ideas and insightful suggestions are serving as catalysts for advancing our technical capabilities in the realms of anticipatory actions and disaster risk financing.

We extend a warm and open invitation to prospective experts who share our commitment to enhancing disaster preparedness and response. If you are eager to join our team and contribute your expertise to our collective mission, please consider reaching out to us via email. Your participation will be highly valued and appreciated as we continue to strive for excellence in our endeavours.