Community-led drainage construction to reduce prolonged flooding

In Bangladesh, as part of Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance (ZCRA), Concern Worldwide is working in the districts of Gaibandha, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram and Jamalpur.  

The programme works to strengthen resilience of individual communities as overall system strengthening, with a focus on increased funding for flood preparedness and improved implementation of relevant policies. Concern is using the Climate Resilience Measurement for Communities (CRMC) tool (flood and heat hazards) to support communities in the establishment of interventions that help enhance resilience based on the jointly developed Community Action Plans.

This solutions brief shares practical and replicable local knowledge of this approach in Nij Goddimari village in Lalmonirhat, Bangladesh, a community which faces chronic flooding and waterlogging due to its proximity to the Saniajan River. 

Through the advocacy of the local community resilience action group (CRAG), a 26 metre long U-drain was constructed with government support to protect the village and surrounding farmland from prolonged flooding. The drain prevented crop loss and restored the community’s physical access to markets, schools, and healthcare facilities. Community involvement in constructing and maintaining the drain ensured sustainability of the system and strengthened the flood resilience of the village.