How local-language warnings are transforming disaster preparedness in Chattogram Hill Tracts
Many ethnic minority communities in the CHT face barriers beyond technology. Poor mobile connectivity, limited access to official information channels and difficulties understanding formal messages prevent these timely actions
In the Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT), landslides are a complex challenge shaped by geography, scattered settlements, ethnic diversity, and limited access to services.
Unlike Bangladesh's low-lying coastal areas, where cyclone preparedness systems have developed over decades, the CHT requires solutions designed around its unique social and environmental realities.
The recent landslides and floods triggered by heavy monsoon rainfall in early July 2026 highlighted this need. However, this time, some communities received warnings in a way that was more familiar and accessible.
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For 28-year-old Mong Chow Hla Marma, a member of the Union Disaster Management Committee (DMC) in Thakur Para of Sonaichori union, Bandarban, preparedness meant ensuring that disaster warnings reached people in their own language.
"National early warning messages are usually issued in English and Bangla. Translating them into Marma helps the message reach our people on time," Mong Chow said.
Many ethnic minority communities in the CHT face barriers beyond technology. Poor mobile connectivity, limited access to official information channels and difficulties understanding formal messages prevent these timely actions.
"The gap is not only technological. It is also linguistic and cultural. Our language itself is declining, but incorporating it into disaster communication is necessary to ensure people receive warnings they understand," he said.
Translating warnings into community languages
Mong Chow realised that translating disaster-related messages would not be simple. Disaster terminology often has no direct equivalent in local languages.
To overcome this challenge, he brought together Marma elders, young people and writers from different upazilas to develop accurate and culturally appropriate messages.
With support from volunteers and local coordination networks, the translated warnings were shared through loudspeakers, personal communication channels and visual posters.
For many Marma residents, it was the first time they received disaster warnings in their own language.
The initiative has encouraged other ethnic minority communities in the CHT to consider similar approaches, including developing warnings in Chakma, Tripura and Mro languages.
"We are protecting communities by reaching them through communication that feels familiar and meaningful," Mong Chow said.
Building a community-based warning system
Designed around the realities of the CHT, Save the Children's Surakkha project works with communities, local institutions and government partners to strengthen disaster preparedness and climate resilience. The project is funded by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO).
For hazards such as landslides and flash floods, Bangladesh still lacks a fully effective location-specific early warning system. Surakkha is working to address this gap by improving the last-mile delivery of warnings.
"We are working with the Bangladesh Meteorological Department [BMD]. We also have a technical partner, the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System [RIMES]. We are trying to understand how early warnings can reach people at the very last moment, especially those living in the CHT," said Fatema Meherunnessa, manager of Resilience and Anticipatory Action at Save the Children in Bangladesh.
Beyond warning dissemination, the project focuses on strengthening disaster planning at the local level.
It works with upazila, district and union Disaster Management Committees to develop response plans based on local risks and community needs.
A key component of the approach is the use of community volunteers who help deliver warnings, interpret messages and support vulnerable households.
"Selected volunteers from our network work as interpreters. They translate warnings into local languages — for example, Marma volunteers translate messages into Marma, while Chak volunteers translate them into Chak," Meherunnessa said.
"When we receive voice-recorded bulletins, volunteers record them on their mobile phones and play them through handheld microphones so people can hear warnings in their own language."
The organisation is also advocating with government agencies so that future centrally generated warnings can be delivered in multiple local languages.
Cash support before disaster strikes
Ethnic minority communities in the CHT are among the most vulnerable to climate-related disasters. Many depend on jhum cultivation and other traditional livelihoods, which are heavily affected during prolonged rainfall.
"When forecasts indicated on 6 July that heavy rainfall and increased landslide risks could continue for seven to eight days, many families knew they would not be able to continue their daily work. Staying indoors for a week could mean losing their income," Meherunnessa said.
To support early action, Surakkha provided Tk6,000 in unconditional anticipatory cash assistance to vulnerable households.
Families with mobile access received money through services such as bKash and other digital platforms, while households without connectivity received cash directly following established procedures.
The support allowed families to take protective measures before disaster struck.
Many used the money to strengthen their houses by adding soil support, raising structures with bamboo poles, building protective barriers and covering vulnerable areas with plastic sheets and sandbags.
Others purchased essential supplies such as dry food, medicines, torches, candles and umbrellas.
"For many families, even a small amount of financial support made a significant difference," Meherunnessa said.
"National early warning messages are usually issued in English and Bangla. Translating them into Marma helps the message reach our people on time… Our language itself is declining, but incorporating it into disaster communication is necessary to ensure people receive warnings they understand." Mong Chow Hla Marma, member, Disaster Management Committee, Thakur Para, Sonaichori union
Identifying those most at risk
Surakkha also conducts vulnerability mapping in areas such as Naikhongchhari Upazila and parts of Rangamati to identify households facing the greatest risks.
The assessment considers factors such as the location of homes, exposure to landslides, living conditions and the presence of people requiring additional support.
Based on the findings, the most vulnerable households are prioritised during emergency planning and warning dissemination.
Volunteers visit these families first when warnings are issued, giving them more time to prepare or evacuate.
The project also identifies households with pregnant women, elderly people, children and people with disabilities.
Female volunteers conduct door-to-door visits to identify families requiring additional assistance. In some areas, vulnerable households are marked with visible red flags so volunteers can quickly identify them during emergencies.
"These may appear to be small initiatives, but they significantly improve community preparedness," Meherunnessa said.
Making evacuation centres more inclusive
One of the biggest challenges in the CHT is the lack of dedicated evacuation facilities for landslide-prone areas.
Unlike coastal regions with cyclone shelters, many communities in the hills depend on schools and public buildings during emergencies.
However, these shelters often fail to address the cultural and practical needs of ethnic minority communities, particularly women.
Many ethnic minority families feel uncomfortable staying in common shelters because of language differences, cultural barriers and a lack of privacy.
To address this, Surakkha has introduced community-based support systems in evacuation centres.
Local volunteers help families communicate in their own languages, access services and adjust to shelter environments. The project has also supported improvements to sanitation and washroom facilities.
During a recent field visit, the organisation observed that around 30 ethnic minority families had used shelters — families who had never previously evacuated during disasters.
The change reflects growing trust among communities that have historically been hesitant to engage with external support systems.
Strengthening forecasting and future preparedness
Surakkha is also supporting improvements in disaster forecasting through the installation of automatic weather stations in areas such as Lama and Naikhongchhari.
Once integrated with the Bangladesh Meteorological Department's monitoring system, these stations are expected to improve rainfall forecasting and help identify areas at higher risk of landslides.
"These systems will help generate more accurate information about local rainfall patterns and hazards," Meherunnessa said.
At the national level, the project has also contributed to the development of a National Anticipatory Action Protocol, designed to support early action before disasters occur.
The protocol considers the needs of remote and ethnic minority communities, including their cultural practices and preferred forms of shelter.
Recognising traditional shelters and cultural needs
During field visits, Surakkha found that many ethnic minority communities prefer temples over schools as temporary shelters during emergencies.
"In indigenous communities, many people prefer to stay in temples rather than schools," a project representative said.
During heavy rainfall, temples often become temporary shelters, sometimes accommodating 50 to 100 families for several days.
However, these shelters often lack adequate facilities.
"In many temples, there is only one washroom facility, but during disasters many families gather there. This creates difficulties, especially for women," Meherunnessa said.
Surakkha is working with local authorities to improve water, sanitation and hygiene facilities in these community shelters.
Following discussions, the upazila administration has expressed interest in assessing existing facilities and adding additional toilets where needed.
Through these combined efforts — from local-language warnings and community volunteers to anticipatory cash support and better planning — Surakkha aims to build a disaster preparedness system that reflects the realities of the Chattogram Hill Tracts and strengthens resilience among its most vulnerable communities.
