It has been nearly 15 years when Bangladesh was identified as the country worst vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters, with metrological agencies and experts foreseeing that the country would face the worst climatic disasters in the next 20 years. Their prediction was partly right. Bangladesh did face several catastrophic natural disasters like Super Cyclone Sidr, Cyclone Aila and devastating flood of 2004 over the last 15 years. The damage the calamities caused to the country was colossal. The cyclone in 1991 claimed the lives of some 138,000 people, while Sidr killed 3447. But these subsequent disasters could not put the people of this country on back foot. Every time they turned out to be more resilient. After every disaster, the people of the affected communities turned around, stood hand in hand, and shoulder to shoulder to get back to normal life. For the rescue-workers, it was always a big surprise the way the community people tackled the disaster.

Bangladesh is a signatory to ‘United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities’, which formally recognises the rights of people with all types of disabilities. The ratification of the protocol by the then ruling party in 2008 has brought the State under the obligation of safeguarding the rights of those who suffer from either physical or mental retardation. However, the dignified life is still a far cry for this marginalized group of people in Bangladesh. Frequent media reports on humiliation of physically challenged or mentally ill persons only prove government’s utter indifference to the issue.

In Bangladesh we have used the word “adivasi”- the Sanskrit/ Bangla word for indigenous population – without hesitation until the past two years. It was in the election manifesto of political parties, agreements, policies and legislations, not to mention in the discourse of the academia and advocacy of activists. We are referring to the communities / ethnic minorities of the hill areas and of plain land. By some account there are 45 communities in the hill areas and land of indigenous communities, some as small as a community of 2000 people only. However, the government sources claim there are only 27 communities.

We were responding to the deadliest garment-factory accident in history. After the rescue and needs assessment, we are standing by the RMG workers. We have also been busy raising fund for the victims. But, ‘Mahasen’ had something other planned for letting us know the people’s readiness to fight disasters!

The National Alliance for Risk Reduction and Response Initiative (NARRI) Consortium from Bangladesh, which is led by ActionAid, has been awarded the 2013 UN Sasakawa Award – the highest award for contributions to disaster risk reduction. The UN award is given to an individual or institutions that have taken active efforts in reducing disaster risk in their communities and advocates for disaster risk reduction. The award team was impressed with the achievement of the NARRI Consortium in working together in the fields of disaster risk reduction and resilience.

I hear wailing horn of the ambulance losing to sirens from a heavy jeep hoisting the flag of Bangladesh and being escorted by special order protocol men carrying walky-talkies, dust masks and khaki vests making haste to make way behind their goggles. Critically injured survivors needing transfer to any hospital inside the city will have to suffer this tailback ordeal – I keep thinking zeep-ing towards the site this morning

It’s like the adrenaline rush before the deep dive in a rollercoaster ride, only a day left to One Billion Rising! The entire ActionAid Bangladesh (AAB) team is on their toes: some making placards while others are hanging banners on the streets and but the team that can’t take the glee of their face is the ones responsible for distributing flyers and brochures on the streets

Yesterday, it was foggy winter morning when we set out to Modhupur, Tangail, located in central part of Dhaka Division. The temperature was so low that we all were literally shivering. We were 9 from different organisations under one platform – the women forum. On January 8, we travelled from Dhaka to Modhupur to protest recent rape of incident. We were looking to take part in a human chain, a press meet and also to speak with people concerned. But, we were fully unaware that Modhupur has planned something else for us!

When I was applying for the Inspirator Program, I was very unsure of what my specific job would be. Then I read this “Inspirators are a boost to local partner organizations to help them focus, re-think or just being better at implementing specific activities through shared learning and critical reflection. It is thus essential that the Inspirator can provide and outside perspective and present new ideas.” Sound interesting and impossible at the same time. How can I provide insight to an already functioning organization? But still I applied, and then when I was approached by the MENA regional office to join them in helping build the Activista Arabia Network.