Environment, Climate Change & Disaster Risk Reduction: POPI’s Commitment to Building Resilient Communities

At POPI, we recognise that climate change and environmental degradation are not merely ecological concerns—they pose significant threats to livelihoods, food security, and human well-being. Vulnerable populations, especially those dependent on agriculture and natural resources, are disproportionately impacted by extreme weather events, rising temperatures, and shifting rainfall patterns.

Our Environment, Climate Change Adaptation, and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Programme aims to empower communities with the knowledge, tools, and resources necessary to adapt to environmental degradation, climate change, and recurring disasters. We are dedicated to fostering resilient communities that can effectively tackle environmental pollution, climate change, and disaster risks through community-led solutions, green business practices, policy advocacy, and resilience-building strategies.

 

 

Our Approach: A Holistic & Community-Led Strategy

POPI is committed to environmental sustainability, DRR, and climate change adaptation. With extensive experience in climate-vulnerable regions, we focus on environmental protection, pollution reduction, sustainable livelihoods, conservation of the coastal and marine environment, and scaling up green solutions in urban, coastal, riverine flooding, and drought-prone areas. Our approach includes:

• Protecting the environment and safeguarding ocean– Reducing pollution, conserving natural resources, and mitigating environmental harm in the mainland, and coastal and marine environment.
• Climate change adaptation – Supporting communities in adapting to climate impacts.
• Conserving natural resources – Protecting, preserving, managing, and restoring natural resources.
• Disaster-resilient communities – Enabling communities to anticipate, withstand, and recover from disaster vulnerabilities.
• Improving livelihoods – Improving the quality of life for people and communities.
• Protecting local economies – Safeguarding local economies from potential disasters and economic losses.
• Promoting sustainability – Promoting resource-efficient practices.

Programme Priorities

 

1. Environment

POPI is committed to promoting sustainable environmental practices by raising awareness, advocating for policy change, and working towards environmental conservation.

• Raise awareness – Educating communities on sustainable practices and environmental issues, particularly in slum and coastal areas.
• Conserving natural resources – Protecting forests, wetlands, and biodiversity.
• Protect endangered species – promoting safe habitats and preventing deforestation.
• Reduce pollution – Encouraging sustainable waste disposal, plastic reduction campaigns, and eco-friendly agricultural practices.
• Green energy transition – Promoting solar energy adoption in climate-vulnerable regions to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
• Lobby for policy change – Advocating for laws that protect ecosystems, marine conservation, and public health.

 

2. Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)

POPI integrates Disaster Risk Reduction into development programmes by assessing risks, identifying mitigation strategies, and implementing measures that strengthen community resilience, contributing to sustainable development. Key areas include:

• Disaster prevention and mitigation – Evaluating community disaster risks and implementing preventive measures.
• Disaster preparedness – Conducting DRR awareness campaigns, training disaster volunteers, and developing contingency plans.
• Disaster response – Establishing contingency plans and equipping communities for emergency responses.
• Disaster rehabilitation and recovery – Implementing structured rehabilitation and recovery activities.

 

3. Climate-Smart Innovations & Local Adaptation

We collaborate with communities to co-develop locally driven adaptation strategies, blending indigenous knowledge with cutting-edge climate-smart innovations to build resilience.

• Reforestation – Restoring and expanding forests to absorb carbon and support sustainable livelihoods.
• Improved agriculture – Implementing climate-smart techniques to boost food security and reduce climate vulnerability.
• Developing heat-tolerant crops – Introducing crops resistant to heat, drought, and flooding.
• Safe livestock rearing – Promoting goat/sheep rearing in slatted sheds.
• Safe water & sanitation – Installing community tube wells and climate-resilient latrines.

 

4. Promoting Alternative Livelihoods

Given climate change-induced displacement and livelihood insecurities, POPI assists vulnerable communities in diversifying income sources by supporting sustainable start-ups, including eco-friendly handicrafts, organic farming, and dry fish enterprises.

 

5. Biodiversity Promotion in Haor and Coastal Communities

POPI fosters biodiversity conservation and restoration through:

• Securing land with indigenous tree plantations – Strengthening resilience against erosion and storm surges with trees like Koroch.
• Community-led tree plantation & carbon trading – Encouraging tree nurseries, fruit tree plantations, and reforestation initiatives as carbon offsetting strategies.
• Sustainable agroforestry & organic farming – Assisting farmers in adopting biodiversity-friendly agricultural practices.

 

6. Greening Enterprises & Sustainable Business Practices

POPI supports microenterprises in transitioning to environmentally friendly business models through:

• Eco-friendly production techniques – Minimizing environmental pollution from small businesses.
• Green financing for enterprises – Enabling businesses to integrate sustainable operations.
• Capacity-building on climate-smart technologies – Training entrepreneurs in eco-friendly innovations.
• Waste management solutions – Implementing sustainable business operation strategies.

 

7. Policy Advocacy & Stakeholder Engagement

POPI actively promotes climate justice and investment in community resilience by focusing on:

• Strengthening early warning systems and disaster response frameworks.
• Encouraging climate-smart agriculture and sustainable livelihoods.
• Ensuring policy inclusion of climate-affected communities.

 

 

POPI’s Long-Standing Experience in Disaster Response

For over three decades, POPI has been a trusted partner in disaster response and resilience-building efforts across Bangladesh. Our disaster response framework follows a three-tier approach:

1. Emergency Response & Humanitarian Assistance

• Rapid relief deployment – Immediate provision of food, water, and medical aid.
• Cash-based assistance – Providing unconditional cash transfers to affected households.
• Safe drinking water & sanitation – Installing emergency water purification systems and flood-resistant latrines.

2. Recovery & Rehabilitation

• Shelter & infrastructure reconstruction – Developing cyclone-resistant homes and shelters.
• Restoring livelihoods – Offering seed capital, livestock, and agricultural inputs.
• Mental health & psychosocial support – Addressing trauma among disaster survivors.

3. Building Long-Term Resilience

• Early warning systems – Training 13,206 households in real-time disaster alerts.
• Climate-resilient agriculture – Promoting flood-resistant crop varieties and sustainable farming practices.
• Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) – Strengthening local disaster preparedness groups and anticipatory action planning.

 

Major Disasters Where POPI Played a Key Role

• 1998 & 2004 Mega Floods – Emergency relief & plinth-raising initiatives.
• Cyclone Sidr (2007) & Cyclone Aila (2009) – Infrastructure and livelihood rehabilitation.
• 2017 & 2020 Floods – Emergency cash and food relief support.
• Ongoing Riverbank Erosion Crisis – Alternative livelihoods & resettlement assistance.

 

Join Us in Building a Climate-Resilient & Sustainable Future

At POPI, we are committed to expanding our impact through partnerships with INGOs, development agencies, and donors. Together, we can:

• Drive innovation in climate adaptation and community resilience.
• Enhance early warning systems and emergency preparedness.
• Empower women and youth as climate action leaders.
• Support green enterprises for sustainable economic development.
• Advocate for climate justice and sustainable policies.

By working together, we can build a future where communities are resilient, adaptive, and thriving despite climate challenges.