Coping with flood and riverbank erosion caused by climate change using livelihood resources: a case study of Bangladesh

Flood and riverbank erosion, two common hazards in Bangladesh, harshly affect many peoples' daily lives and damage their livelihoods. Livelihood resources (natural, physical, financial, human and social) can help cope with shocks and hazards. The objectives of the study were to identify which coping strategies and which livelihood resources were used in response to flood and erosion, and to judge how effective these strategies were. The area of study was the Sirajganj district of the Rajshahi division, across which runs the Brahmaputra river. Participatory Rapid Appraisal tools were used to collect data through a structured questionnaire survey. The data were processed by CRiSTAL software and analysed by Rep IV software. The data showed that riverbank erosion has a higher impact on people than flooding. The main strategies people use to cope with hazards include part-time work, rebuilding houses on an emergency basis, treating disease, taking temporary shelter on embankments and changing professions. The most effective coping strategy for flood and riverbank erosion was found to be doing part-time work. Physical and financial resources are the most effective means of coping with both hazards, while natural resources do not provide sufficient support. Social resources are comparatively more effective in helping people cope with riverbank erosion, as are human resources for flooding.