In a world increasingly impacted by natural disasters and man-made conflicts, the importance of effective Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) has never been more pressing. To reflect on this important topic and discuss durable and shareable solutions, MOAS (Migrant Offshore Aid Station) organised the conference” From Field to Framework”, held at Valletta Design Cluster on 16th December. It was an opportunity to share the first findings of their research project about Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in Bangladesh and meet with other professionals and first responders operating in a disaster context.
The research project
According to recent UN data, climate-related disasters have risen fivefold over the past 50 years, underscoring the urgent need for increased proactive measures. Yet, a critical challenge persists: how to translate theoretical DRR strategies into actionable plans that meet the complex realities faced by vulnerable communities.
This question lies at the heart of the research being conducted by MOAS which is systematically viewing its DRR work in Bangladesh from 2017 to 2023. Drawing from interventions carried out in the Rohingya settlement camps of Cox’s Bazar—home to one of the world’s largest refugee populations—the report being compiled addresses a key gap: the ad-hoc documentation and feedback mechanisms to connect field practitioners with program designers and policymakers.
Key Insights and Themes
Through its structured approach, the report not only celebrates successes but also highlights areas for growth, most specifically in aspects of governance, ensuring future initiatives are even more impactful and, perhaps most importantly, through learning from one’s experience.
The report examines how project assumptions shaped planning, the resources and actions deployed during implementation, and lessons from post-project assessments. Crucially, it emphasises long-term thinking: building resilience to ensure communities recover stronger after crises.
MOAS’ interventions in Cox’s Bazar have focused on three core pillars:
- Preparedness and Risk Awareness – Equipping communities with knowledge and resources before disasters strike.
- Event Response – Enhancing the effectiveness of immediate crisis reactions.
- Training and Community Building – Empowering local populations through skill-building and collaboration.
The findings highlight successes in fostering resilience while identifying opportunities for improvement, particularly in sustainability planning and suggest interventions designed explicitly for vulnerable communities to bridge the gap between theoretical plans and on-the-ground realities. Field practitioners face urgent demands that can make consistent documentation difficult, and translating their invaluable insights to organisational teams is no small task.
This project would not have been possible without the support of the Voluntary Organisation Projects Scheme (VOPS), an initiative managed and administered by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS) under the auspices of the Ministry for Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector.
Albert Delia, Fundraising and Project Officer with MOAS, stated: “We hope this report serves as a resource to inspire, inform, and guide future resilience-building projects across humanitarian sectors. Through the Research Grant provided by VOPS, MOAS has had the opportunity to conduct this retrospective on its Initiatives in Bangladesh and how we can better conduct future missions ourselves.”
For more information, please contact:
Francesca Pierpaoli
This project has been funded through the Voluntary Organisations Project Scheme managed by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector supported by the Ministry for Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector (MIV)
This project/publication reflects the views only of the author, and the MCVS cannot be held responsible for the content or any use which may be made of the information contained therein
