Construction training to make homes more resilient in a changing climate
Community: Rangpur division, Bangladesh
Partner: Nirapod Bangladesh Songstha
Bangladesh is at the forefront of climate change, experiencing floods, cyclones and earthquakes. However the underlying disaster is the desperate poverty in rural communities which forces people to live in hazardous locations and in poor quality housing. We aim to train 1000+ women between 2023-2025.
Rangpur division, Bangladesh
What difference will the training make?
Simple strengthening improvements can cost just 5% of the total construction cost and can provide resilience against floods and strong winds.
Our ‘build for safety’ workshops offer technologies that are affordable, appropriate and available locally. They give people real choices and control over their lives and livelihoods.
99% of women felt more confident in design and construction having attended training. 39% have implemented at least one improved building technique, within 3 months.
After attending our training, Ponchomi now lives in a secure bamboo-frame house. Read her story.
In May 2024, tropical storm Remal caused severe flooding and landslides, affecting 3.75 million people. Approximately 150,000 homes were damaged. The heat wave in April 2024 broke the record for an all-time high for 24 consecutive days. Rangpur, where AzuKo operates was one of the most impacted divisions, leading the government to close schools and colleges for a week.
Too many houses are not fit for living, and cannot withstand these natural disasters. We need to build back better.
Why women?
Although the construction industry in Bangladesh is male dominated, typically women in rural Bangladesh manage their homestead while men work away. Ongoing maintenance and repairs are part of women’s daily life.
We strongly believe that women’s empowerment, particularly in the built environment, leads to society’s advancement.
