Livelihood Sustainability Status and Challenges of South-western Coastal Area of Bangladesh

Abstract

The exposure of disaster varies based on its surroundings and resilience of the people. Apparently, the south-western coastal area of Bangladesh is confronting at great risk for its geophysical settings. Notwithstanding, Bangladesh has a long history of coping with disasters and recovery from damages. This study attempted to measure the livelihood sustainability status that had taken by the rural people of Sutarkhali after the severe cyclonic storm Aila occurred in 2009. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted in Sutarkhali union of Dacope Upazila under Khulna District, Bangladesh. Data were collected from different occupational groups living in a coastal community through survey methods using a structured questionnaire. A total of 260 household heads were participated in this study. The study findings reveal that the respondents have changed their livelihood activities after Aila but the livelihood is not sustainable and satisfactory. The overall sustainability score (39.85) identified in this study based on the DFID indicators means, sustainability of the diversified livelihood is unsustainable and less satisfactory. This study also found various constraints towards livelihood sustainability. Based on the weighted average index this study found the major constraints of livelihood sustainability are natural disasters, lack of education, lack of government initiatives, etc.

Keywords: Livelihood, Sustainability, Challenges, Coastal Areas, Bangladesh