Towards cyclone resilience: Examining local challenges and best practices in shelter management in Sarankhola, Southwest Bangladesh

Bangladesh is the seventh most vulnerable country to climate-related hazards and is highly susceptible to intense cyclones. This study aims to identify shelter management challenges, existing practices, and resident-driven recommendations in four unions of Sarankhola, southwest Bangladesh, while also developing a perceived cyclone risk map. Using a mixed-methods approach, data was collected through twenty-four in-depth interviews (IDIs), 8 focus group discussions (FGDs), and 104 questionnaire surveys, with respondents equally distributed across the unions. Findings indicate that residents lack access to essential services, with limited facilities for pregnant women, lactating mothers, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Although most cyclone shelters have ramps, the absence of specialized vehicles prevents volunteers from assisting people with disabilities effectively. Poor sanitation and hygiene conditions expose evacuees to health risks. While shelters are structurally safe from floods, the risk of building collapse persists due to neglected renovations. Despite the increased availability of cyclone shelters, poor road infrastructure and fear of theft hinder timely evacuation. Some residents also reported access restrictions imposed by school authorities managing the shelters. The study highlights that good governance can enhance shelter management by ensuring proper water supply, sanitation, and equitable relief distribution. Key recommendations include improving roads and drainage, ensuring nutrition-sensitive relief, engaging female volunteers, enhancing healthcare and accessibility support, and strengthening accountability for shelter maintenance. Effective management requires a coordinated, inclusive, governance-driven approach to sustain cyclone resilience. • School authorities' restrictions hinder access to cyclone shelters and their services. • Fear of theft limits access and women avoid cyclone shelters due to security concern. • Local government ensures services after major cyclones, neglecting small-scale ones. • Good governance influences proper management through transparency and accountability. • Female volunteers and designated shelter management team can ensure inclusive access to shelter.