Digital Innovation in Early Warning Systems – Building Climate Resilience in Bangladesh

Bangladesh, one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, faces frequent and extreme weather events such as floods, cyclones, heatwaves, and heavy rainfall. While early warning systems (EWS) have advanced, critical gaps remain in reaching underserved last mile communities and ensuring actionable responses to disasters. According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), between 2015 and 2020, less than 30% of the population received effective early warnings. Recognizing these challenges, Practical Action implemented the ‘Digital Innovation in Early Warning Systems-Building Climate Resilience in Bangladesh’ project, supported by ADPC and the World Bank. This initiative bridges gaps in EWS through technology and inclusive community-based solutions, emphasizing gender-sensitive approaches to ensure early warnings for all.

Practical Action is a global development charity, building sustainable lives and livelihoods on the frontlines of poverty and climate change. Practical Action in Bangladesh focuses on improving living conditions for people living in poverty, supporting them to prosper and overcome the most challenging conditions in rural and urban areas.

Practical Action developed a MOTS (Modified, Modifiable, or Military Off-the-Shelf) software solution with an app whose features reflect the mission to build disaster-resilient communities by combining technology with community-driven solutions. By addressing gaps in traditional early warning systems and ensuring gender-sensitive, inclusive access by analyzing user persona, the app is transforming how vulnerable populations respond to disasters.

The mobile-based application ‘Disaster Alert for BD’ or ‘Disaster Alert App’ creates a mechanism to coordinate organizations in real time, ensuring that risk reduction efforts are coherent and response efforts leave no one overlooked or left behind. During emergency responses, nearby communities often receive the maximum help, while distant ones remain relatively deprived. In emergencies, the application coordinates key agencies, field volunteers, and impacted communities. The system ensures that volunteers receive timely notifications and are directed to provide assistance at appropriate locations. It also enables community members to locate the nearest service point for their specific needs or request support from volunteers to their location. This mechanism helps mitigate overlaps and gaps in efforts, optimizing the overall response strategy. The usage statistics underscore the app’s role in reducing disaster-induced losses and damages, supporting the project’s goal of creating a safer and more resilient Bangladesh.

• Users register their profiles on the Disaster Alert App for free, with assistance if needed. This registration allows user access to location-specific early warnings and advisory services.
• Access seven days weather forecast with humidity, wind speed, rainfall, and evaporation rate.
• A rescue seeker can send a request to nearby volunteers, sharing their status, map location, and phone number for assistance.
• The operations team, including CPP, community volunteers, and local leaders, collaborates to execute rescue efforts using available databases of hospitals, shelter centers, and key contacts.
• All operations and early warning dissemination data are collected to measure performance, preferences, and interactions. This knowledge is shared with stakeholders when necessary.

In May 2024, when Cyclone Remal threatened the coastal regions of Bangladesh, Anupam Kwarmoker, a community volunteer in Koyra, received early warnings from the Disaster Alert App and immediately shared them with neighbors.

A resident of Sriula, Satkhira, Anupam has faced the devastating impacts of natural disasters for years. After losing his home to Cyclone SIDR in 2007, he joined the Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP) to support his community. In 2024, he took a pivotal step by volunteering with Practical Action under ADPC’s iCARE project.

Equipped with training and the Disaster Alert for BD app, Anupam became a proactive leader. Beyond traditional methods like using a handheld mic, he collaborated with women-led volunteer groups to ensure effective warning dissemination. His efforts prioritized the vulnerable — elderly, children, and those unable to evacuate independently.

When Cyclone Remal struck in May 2024, Anupam mobilized his community with swift, coordinated action. His leadership inspired over 30 youth volunteers to assist in evacuations and secure livelihoods.

Reflecting on his experience, Anupam said, “This year, I received warnings from both my CPP team leader and the Disaster Alert for BD mobile app. I preferred the app because I can check updates anytime, without depending on others, and can take proactive action to save my community.”

Through his resilience and the app’s timely warnings, Anupam empowered his community, saving lives and becoming a symbol of hope and preparedness in Sriula.

The ‘Digital Innovation in Early Warning Systems-Building Climate Resilience in Bangladesh’ project has reached 38,643 direct beneficiaries through the Disaster Alert for BD app. The project’s focus on training ensures that individuals and organizations are well-equipped to leverage the Disaster Alert App and other early warning tools effectively. The training covers critical aspects of early warning systems, such as the use of the Disaster Alert App, volunteer mobilization, access to weather information, understand the warning and response coordination. It also emphasizes gender-sensitive approaches to ensure women’s participation and accessibility. Periodic refresher training sessions have been conducted to reinforce skills and introduce updates on new app features.
The project successfully trained 1490 individuals from diverse sectors, including private sector organizations, community volunteers, and professional groups. Overall, there was a balanced participation, with 51% male and 49% female involvement through intervention.

• Increased Awareness and Preparedness: Among the 106 surveyed community members, 84% fully understood the early warning messages, demonstrating the app’s effectiveness in simplifying complex disaster information.
• Proactive Responses: 92% of respondents took proactive measures to prepare for disasters after receiving warnings, significantly reducing loss and damage.
• Gender-Sensitive Outcomes: While 60% of men found the messages very useful, the app also positively impacted women (40%), reflecting progress in gender inclusivity for disaster preparedness.
• Enhanced Satisfaction: Overall, 84% expressed satisfaction with the early warning system, highlighting its role in building trust and confidence among users.