Bangladesh : Flood and Riverbank Erosion Risk Management Investment Program
ADB is assisting the Government of Bangladesh to improve the livelihoods of people in the country's most flood and erosion prone areas along the Jamuna, Ganges and Padma rivers. The Flood and Riverbank Erosion Risk Management Investment Program is in line with the plans of the government to strategically manage flood and riverbank erosion risks along the country's main rivers to reduce damages to people's assets and to lessen constraint to economic development. It will reduce flood and riverbank erosion risks in priority erosion reaches through structural and nonstructural interventions, and institutional and knowledge-based strengthening. It will implement three subprojects comprising climate-resilient flood embankments protecting critical riparian productive areas in central Bangladesh and capacity building initiatives. It will extend successful riverbank protection technologies of the ADB-financed Jamuna-Meghna River Erosion Mitigation Project to other areas, with necessary improvements.
Project Details
-
Project Officer
Drieu, Olivier
South Asia Department
Request for information -
Country/Economy
Bangladesh -
Modality
-
Sector
- Agriculture, natural resources and rural development
| Project Name | Flood and Riverbank Erosion Risk Management Investment Program | ||||||||||||
| Project Number | 44167-013 | ||||||||||||
| Country / Economy | Bangladesh |
||||||||||||
| Project Status | Active | ||||||||||||
| Project Type / Modality of Assistance | Grant Loan |
||||||||||||
| Source of Funding / Amount |
|
||||||||||||
| Strategic Agendas | Environmentally sustainable growth Inclusive economic growth |
||||||||||||
| Drivers of Change | Gender Equity and Mainstreaming Governance and capacity development Knowledge solutions Partnerships |
||||||||||||
| Sector / Subsector | Agriculture, natural resources and rural development / |
||||||||||||
| Gender | Effective gender mainstreaming | ||||||||||||
| Description | ADB is assisting the Government of Bangladesh to improve the livelihoods of people in the country's most flood and erosion prone areas along the Jamuna, Ganges and Padma rivers. The Flood and Riverbank Erosion Risk Management Investment Program is in line with the plans of the government to strategically manage flood and riverbank erosion risks along the country's main rivers to reduce damages to people's assets and to lessen constraint to economic development. It will reduce flood and riverbank erosion risks in priority erosion reaches through structural and nonstructural interventions, and institutional and knowledge-based strengthening. It will implement three subprojects comprising climate-resilient flood embankments protecting critical riparian productive areas in central Bangladesh and capacity building initiatives. It will extend successful riverbank protection technologies of the ADB-financed Jamuna-Meghna River Erosion Mitigation Project to other areas, with necessary improvements. Also, the program supports the national-level institutional capacity strengthening for more strategic planning and implementation of flood and erosion risk management. The program was designed to be implemented over 9 years and financed in three tranches. However, at the government's request, the originally envisaged Tranches 2 and 3 of the MFF have been combined into a single and final tranche (Tranche 2) during the processing of Project 2 in 2021. Tranche 2 is a continuation of the works carried out under Tranche 1 and builds upon the achievements of Tranche 1. Tranche 1 is completed and financially closed on 24 October 2021. Tranche 2 was approved on 6 September 2021 and became effective on 18 April 2022. | ||||||||||||
| Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy | People in Bangladesh are often affected by water-related natural disasters, including floods, riverbank erosion, drought, cyclones, and tidal surges. About a fifth of the country is inundated annually. This is due largely to the location of the country on a vast flat floodplain at the confluence of three main rivers, the Jamuna (and Padma), the Ganges, and the Meghna. Riverbank erosion is one of the most prominent disasters in Bangladesh, caused by highly dynamic river morphology. It causes the loss of about 5,000 to 6,000 hectares of floodplain every year, affecting about 100,000 people. The high possibility of riverbank erosion hinders construction and rehabilitation of flood embankments. The threat of frequent flood and erosion disasters discourages investment and leads to low economic growth of riverine areas. The poor who tend to live in vulnerable riverine lands face significant social hardship. They lose their homesteads, lands, and crops, and are forced to move to other vulnerable riverine lands or urban slums. Improved infrastructure and flood and erosion risk management is essential for economic growth, livelihood improvement and poverty reduction in the areas affected by flooding and riverbank erosion. | ||||||||||||
| Impact | improved livelihoods in the project area. |
||||||||||||
| Project Outcome | |
|---|---|
| Description of Outcome | reduced flood and riverbank erosion risks in the subproject areas. |
| Progress Toward Outcome | Tranche 1 is completed and financially closed on 24 October 2021. |
| Implementation Progress | |
| Description of Project Outputs | Flood and riverbank erosion risk mitigation functioning at priority reaches Strengthened institutional systems for flood and riverbank erosion risk management, and Operational program management systems |
| Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues) | Under Tranche 1 project, 18 km of riverbank protection works have been completed by applying innovative and cost-effective approaches for riverbank erosion management, including progressive knowledge development and a pilot of new wave protection technology with jute along 4 km of embankment and riverbank slopes. The newly built infrastructure has performed well since completion. The reduced scope for Tranche 2 project anticipates 30 km of riverbank protection works. Total revised target for the investment program is anticipated to be 48 km (instead of 60 km). Under Tranche 1 project, the flood embankment length had to be reduced from 23 km to 21 km due to funds constraint. The reduced scope for Tranche 2 project anticipates 8 km of climate-resilient flood embankment. Total revised target for the investment program is anticipated to be 29 km (instead of 89 km). Under Tranche 1 project, pavement works of 5 km of road have been excluded from the flood embankment packages due to potential cost overrun. Paved roads on the embankments will not be financed under the MFF as other government agencies are anticipated to undertake this work with their own funds in the foreseeable future. Under Tranche 1 project, 7 regulators and other hydraulic structures were originally planned, but were re-organized into a large structure during detailed design; 4 structures were constructed. The reduced scope for Tranche 2 project anticipates that 2 regulators with fish passes will be built. Under Tranche 1 project, 40 community-based disaster management units (CDMUs) have been successfully created in 40 villages, out of which 14 are led by women (i.e. 35%). The remaining 160 CDMUs with a minimum of 35% of units led by women will be created and made operational under Tranche 2 project. Recruitment of livelihood NGO has been deferred to Tranche 2 project due to funds shortage. This activity is planned under Tranche 2 project with increased target of 14 community groups. Under Tranche 1 project, databases for the management information system (MIS) for flood and riverbank erosion with sex-disaggregated data have been outlined. A comprehensive module based on further development of 2 existing databases is planned under Tranche 2 project. Due to funds constraint under Tranche 1 project, the community-based operations and maintenance (O&M) activities have been deferred to Tranche 2 project. However, a comprehensive plan has been developed and submitted in 2020 under Tranche 1 project and is being updated under Tranche 2 project. Under Tranche 1 project, a long-term strategic plan for stabilization of main rivers of Central Bangladesh has been developed and endorsed by the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) in 2020. Under Tranche 1 project, pilot studies were conducted for a new morphological short-term erosion prediction model and river survey data collected as a base to then update the Guidelines for the Erosion Protection under Tranche 2 project. Also, papers on projects lessons learned such as launching geotextile sand-filled bags, morphological processes, and grout-filled jute mattresses have been published and presented at international conferences. Further publications and presentations are planned under Tranche 2 project. Under Tranche 1 project, the project website has been developed and is operational. Establishment of the link to the BWDB's webpage and further expansion are planned under Tranche 2 project. The loan closing date of Tranche 1 project has been extended twice at the request of the government: (i) from 30 June 2019 to 30 June 2020 to make up for delays due to land acquisition; and (ii) from 30 June 2020 to 31 March 2021 to enable works to be completed while managing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. All works were completed in June 2020. Due to currency fluctuations, the US Dollar equivalent of the loan decreased to $58.2 million, resulting in a few activities being deferred to Tranche 2 project, such as (i) livelihood development support; (ii) community capacity development support for participatory operation and maintenance; (iii) information system development; (iv) environment management and risk mitigation programs; and (v) construction of 8 km of flood embankment. Tranche 2 activities are ongoing. |
| Geographical Location | |
| Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects | |
|---|---|
| Environmental Aspects | A |
| Involuntary Resettlement | A |
| Indigenous Peoples | The first and second tranches are categorized C for indigenous peoples. There are no indigenous peoples as defined for operational purposes by ADB Safeguard Policy Statement (2009) in any of the identified subproject areas of the first tranche and subsequent tranches under the investment program. As the subsequent tranches will also be categorized C, an indigenous peoples planning framework for the investment program was not prepared. |
| Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation | |
| During Project Design | The stakeholder communication strategy has been built into the design of the investment program, including the resettlement plans and the gender action plan, while no separate stakeholder communication strategy has been established. A key part of the project implementation strategy is focusing on information sharing and consultation that guide communications with stakeholders during project implementation. Such information sharing helps to build consensus and ensures continuous stakeholder support throughout the investment program implementation.Various groups of stakeholders were consulted at different stages of the investment program design. This included consultation for identifying needs, discussing possible solutions, and describing the proposed design. |
| During Project Implementation | The communication activities include door-to-door awareness campaigns, public meetings, publicity programs with educational institutes, etc. Stakeholder consultations were initiated during Tranche 1 project and Tranche 2 project preparation, with affected households, local representatives and other stakeholders. Socio-economic surveys were also conducted before finalizing the designs. After finalizing the designs, the proposed interventions were explained at each proposed subproject site. This close communication with local stakeholders will be maintained throughout the implementation stage. Local communities participate in project implementation through: (i) formulation of community-based disaster management committees, (ii) community capacity development activities for community-based flood and erosion disaster risk management and participatory regular O&M, and (iii) livelihood support activities. NGOs will be engaged for the implementation of these activities that involve community mobilization and participation. A significant number of local residents also participate in civil works for erosion protection and flood embankments as labor. |
| Business Opportunities | |
|---|---|
| Consulting Services | For Tranche 1, all procurement of goods and works were undertaken in accordance with ADB's Procurement Guidelines (2015). For Tranche 2, all procurement of goods and works will be undertaken in accordance with ADB's Procurement Regulations for ADB Borrowers: Goods, Works, Nonconsulting and Consulting Services (2017, as amended from time to time). |
| Procurement | For Tranche 1, all consultants, NGOs, and other institutions were recruited according to ADB's Guidelines on the Use of Consultants (2013). For Tranche 2, all procurement of consulting services are being undertaken in accordance with ADB's Procurement Regulations for ADB Borrowers: Goods, Works, Nonconsulting and Consulting Services (2017, as amended from time to time). |
| Responsible ADB Officer | Drieu, Olivier |
| Responsible ADB Department | South Asia Department |
| Responsible ADB Division | Environment, Natural Resources & Agriculture Division, SARD |
| Timetable | |
|---|---|
| Concept Clearance | 21 Feb 2012 |
| Fact Finding | 17 Jul 2013 to 01 Aug 2013 |
| MRM | 08 Apr 2014 |
| Approval | 26 Jun 2014 |
| Last Review Mission | - |
| Last PDS Update | 12 Jan 2023 |
MFF Facility Concept 0082-BAN
| Financing Plan | Loan Utilization | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total (Amount in US$ million) | Date | ADB | Others | Net Percentage | |
| Project Cost | 391.59 | Cumulative Contract Awards | |||
| ADB | 255.00 | - | 0.00 | 0.00 | % |
| Counterpart | 103.40 | Cumulative Disbursements | |||
| Cofinancing | 33.19 | - | 0.00 | 0.00 | % |
Project Data Sheets (PDS) contain summary information on the project or program. Because the PDS is a work in progress, some information may not be included in its initial version but will be added as it becomes available. Information about proposed projects is tentative and indicative.
The Access to Information Policy (AIP) recognizes that transparency and accountability are essential to development effectiveness. It establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced.
The Accountability Mechanism provides a forum where people adversely affected by ADB-assisted projects can voice and seek solutions to their problems and report alleged noncompliance of ADB's operational policies and procedures.
In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of, or reference to, a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.
| Title | Document Type | Document Date |
|---|---|---|
| Flood and Riverbank Erosion Risk Management Investment Program: Procurement Plan | Procurement Plans | Apr 2017 |
| বন্যা ও নদীতীর ভাঙন ঝুঁকি ব্যবস্থাপনা বিনিয়োগ কর্মসূচি : প্রকল্প তথ্যপত্র | Translated PDS | Oct 2014 |
| Flood and Riverbank Erosion Risk Management Investment Program: Facility Administration Manual | Facility Administration Manual | Jun 2014 |
| Flood and Riverbank Erosion Risk Management Investment Program: Gender Action Plan | Gender Action Plans | Jun 2014 |
| Flood and Riverbank Erosion Risk Management Investment Program | Reports and Recommendations of the President | Jun 2014 |
| Main River Flood and Bank Erosion Risk Management Program | Initial Poverty and Social Analysis | Oct 2012 |
Safeguard Documents See also: Safeguards
Safeguard documents provided at the time of project/facility approval may also be found in the list of linked documents provided with the Report and Recommendation of the President.
Evaluation Documents See also: Independent Evaluation
None currently available.
Related Publications
None currently available.
The Access to Information Policy (AIP) establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced in its operations to facilitate stakeholder participation in ADB's decision-making. For more information, refer to the Safeguard Policy Statement, Operations Manual F1, and Operations Manual L3.
Requests for information may also be directed to the InfoUnit.
Q&A: Kenichi Yokoyama on climate resilient and sustainable infrastructure in South Asia
Kenichi Yokoyama, Director General of ADB's South Asia Department, explains ADB’s responses to regional challenges, gives concrete examples of what ADB has already done, and what it intends to do in the years ahead.
Tenders
Contracts Awarded
Procurement Plan
| Title | Document Type | Document Date |
|---|---|---|
| Flood and Riverbank Erosion Risk Management Investment Program: Procurement Plan | Procurement Plans | Apr 2017 |