Natural Disasters, Risks, Vulnerability and Persistence of Poverty: An Analysis of Household Level Data

The paper explores the vulnerability and persistence of poverty amongst the rural households in the disaster-prone areas of Bangladesh. It draws upon some of the factors and processes that have prevented certain groups of people in ecologically vulnerable areas escaping from extreme poverty using both household level data and focussed group discussions. In the light of this, special attention has been given to the monga problem, which refers to the state of seasonal unemployment and deprivation, especially in the northern districts of Bangladesh. The paper also suggests ways to cope with the vulnerabilities faced by the people living in the river erosion and flood affected areas. [PRCPB Working Paper No. 15] URL: [http://www.chronicpoverty.org/uploads/publication_files/PRCPB_WP15.pdf]