Bangladesh is one of the most climate vulnerable countries in the world, with its coastal regions severely affected by climate-related extremes. This paper identifies existing provisions for youth involvement in disaster risk reduction (DRR) frameworks and examines the opportunities and practical challenges they face in community mobilization. In method, efforts were made to extract all youth-related narratives from relevant literature. A total of 100 youth volunteers were surveyed, and in-depth interviews were conducted with six experts from youth-led organizations and four youth volunteers. The findings reveal that policy gaps, coordination difficulties, limited resources and recognition, non-inclusiveness, patriarchal attitudes, and bureaucratic red tape are major challenges encountered by youth volunteers. Notably, Bangladeshi youth demonstrate strong volunteerism, effective use of information technology, potential for capacity building, engagement with grassroots communities, and the ability to strengthen Union Disaster Management Committees (UDMCs), all of which can contribute to a sustainable community-based DRR approach. As rights-holders, youth empowerment is critically important. Relevant stakeholders—especially state actors, global leaders, forums, and funding organizations—should give greater attention to maximizing the contributions of youth in this field.

1. [1] United Nations, “Youth.” https://www.un.org/en/global-issues/youth [Accessed June 16, 2024]
2. [2] Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, “Labour force survey 2022: Final report,” 2023.
3. [3] Ministry of Youth and Sports, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, “National youth policy 2017,” 2017.
4. [4] Water Resources Planning Organization, “Coastal zone policy 2005,” Ministry of Water Resources, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, 2005.
5. [5] J. Burck, T. Uhlich, C. Bals, N. Höhne, and L. Nascimento, “Climate Change Performance Index 2024,” Germanwatch, NewClimate Institute, and Climate Action Network International, 2023.
6. [6] M. M. Rashid, A. Azman, P. S. J. Singh, and M. I. Ali, “Issues and problems of small-scale fishing (SSF) communities in South Asia: A comprehensive overview,” Indian J. Ecol., Vol.47, No.3, pp. 775-781, 2020.
7. [7] M. A. Quader, A. U. Khan, M. A. Malak, and M. Kervyn, “Mainstreaming decentralization and collaboration in disaster risk management: Insights from coastal Bangladesh,” Int. J. Disaster Risk Sci., Vol.14, No.3, pp. 382-397, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13753-023-00495-w
8. [8] M. S. Uddin, C. E. Haque, D. Walker, and M. U. I. Choudhury, “Community resilience to cyclone and storm surge disasters: Evidence from coastal communities of Bangladesh,” J. Environ. Manag., Vol.264, Article No.110457, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110457
9. [9] C. Muzenda-Mudavanhu, “A review of children’s participation in disaster risk reduction,” Jàmbá: J. Disaster Risk Stud., Vol.8, No.1, Article No.a218, 2016. https://doi.org/10.4102/jamba.v8i1.218
10. [10] World Vision Bangladesh, “Scalable approaches for children and youth-led disaster risk reduction,” 2022. https://www.wvi.org/sites/default/files/2023-09/Children%20and%20Youth%20led%20Disaster%20Risk%20Reduction%20Research%20Report%202023.pdf [Accessed June 29, 2024]
11. [11] M. Bessaha, R. A. Hayward, and K. Gatanas, “A scoping review of youth and young adults’ roles in natural disaster mitigation and response: Considerations for youth wellbeing during a global ecological crisis,” Child Adolesc. Ment. Health, Vol.27, No.1, pp. 14-21, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1111/camh.12517
12. [12] F. Mahmud, “‘I have lost everything’: Bangladesh floods strand 1.24 million families,” Al Jazeera, August 28, 2024. https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2024/8/28/i-have-lost-everything-bangladesh-floods-strand-1-24m-families [Accessed October 27, 2024]
13. [13] K. T. Zaman, “Floods 2024: Bangladesh’s unexpected show of solidarity,” The Daily Star, August 25, 2024. https://www.thedailystar.net/life-living/news/floods-2024-bangladeshs-unexpected-show-solidarity-3686081 [Accessed October 29, 2024]
14. [14] M. U. I. Choudhury, C. E. Haque, and G. Hostetler, “Transformative learning and community resilience to cyclones and storm surges: The case of coastal communities in Bangladesh,” Int. J. Disaster Risk Reduct., Vol.55, Article No.102063, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2021.102063
15. [15] P. Khatiwada, “Role of youth and young professionals in climate change and disaster risk reduction,” R. Shaw (Ed.), “Handbook on Climate Change and Disasters,” pp. 161-171, Edward Elgar Publishing, 2022. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781800371613.00024
16. [16] United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, “Sendai framework for disaster risk reduction 2015–2030,” 2015.
17. [17] United Nations General Assembly, “Sendai framework for disaster risk reduction 2015–2030: Resolution adopted by the General Assembly,” A/RES/69/283, 2015.
18. [18] A. Y. Mustafa, “Sustainable development goals 2015–2030,” Al-Ratwah Center for Studies and Consultations, 2016.
19. [19] Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, “About the ministries,” BG Press, 2023.
20. [20] Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, “National plan for disaster management (2021–2025): Action for disaster risk management towards resilient nation,” 2020.
21. [21] Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, “National adaptation plan of Bangladesh (2023–2050),” 2022.
22. [22] B. Wisner, J. C. Gaillard, and I. Kelman, “Framing disaster: Theories and stories seeking to understand hazards, vulnerability and risk,” I. Kelman (Ed.), “Disaster Prevention,” pp. 44-62, Routledge, 2015.
23. [23] R. Hart, “Children’s experience of place,” Irvington Publishers, 1979.
24. [24] A. Daly et al., “Climate action and the UNCRC: A ‘postpaternalist’ world where children claim their own rights,” Youth, Vol.4, No.4, pp. 1387-1404, 2024. https://doi.org/10.3390/youth4040088
25. [25] R. G. Dagohoy, J. J. A. Juaton, and M. L. L. Navales, “Exploring the dimensions of youth volunteerism in times of crisis: A framework development,” NRCP Res. J., Vol.23, No.2, pp. 50-66, 2024. https://doi.org/10.63225/nrcp.rj.2024.0012
26. [26] S. N. Nipa, J. T. Oyshi, and I. I. Rouf, “Effectiveness of disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) training programs: Views and voices from Barisal Division, a coastal region in Bangladesh,” I. Chowdhooree and S. M. Ghani (Eds.), “External Interventions for Disaster Risk Reduction: Impacts on Local Communities,” pp. 253-271, Springer, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-4948-9_14
27. [27] M. I. M. Yusof and M. M. Ariffin, “Youth engagement in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in ASEAN countries,” Int. J. Acad. Res. Prog. Educ. Dev., Vol.10, No.3, pp. 956-974, 2021. https://doi.org/10.6007/IJARPED/v10-i3/10359
28. [28] A. Mukherjee, M. Faisal, and M. K. Saha, “Measuring resilience of urban slum to climate-induced disasters: A study on Barishal City Corporation, Bangladesh,” Int. J. Disaster Manag., Vol.3, No.2, pp. 34-47, 2020. https://doi.org/10.24815/ijdm.v3i2.17815
29. [29] P. Bhardwaj, “Types of sampling in research,” J. Pract. Cardiovasc. Sci., Vol.5, No.3, pp. 157-163, 2019. https://doi.org/10.4103/jpcs.jpcs_62_19
30. [30] O. Boiral, I. Heras-Saizarbitoria, and M. C. Brotherton, “Improving environmental management through indigenous peoples’ involvement,” Environ. Sci. Policy, Vol.103, pp. 10-20, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2019.10.006
31. [31] F. X. D. Tuokuu, S. D. Kpinpuo, and R. E. Hinson, “Sustainable development in Ghana’s gold mines: Clarifying the stakeholder’s perspective,” J. Sustain. Min., Vol.18, No.2, pp. 77-84, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsm.2019.02.007
32. [32] S. Muellmann, T. Brand, D. Jürgens, D. Gansefort, and H. Zeeb, “How many key informants are enough? Analysing the validity of the community readiness assessment,” BMC Res. Notes, Vol.14, Article No.85, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-021-05497-9
33. [33] N. N. A. Abdul Halim, M. H. Jaafar, M. A. Kamaruddin, N. A. Kamaruzaman, and P. S. Jamir Singh, “The causes of Malaysian construction fatalities,” J. Sustain. Sci. Manag., Vol.15, No.5, pp. 236-256, 2020. https://doi.org/10.46754/jssm.2020.07.018
34. [34] B. S. Cypress, “Rigor or reliability and validity in qualitative research: Perspectives, strategies, reconceptualization, and recommendations,” Dimens. Crit. Care Nurs., Vol.36, No.4, pp. 253-263, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1097/DCC.0000000000000253
35. [35] H. Noble and R. Heale, “Triangulation in research, with examples,” Evid. Based Nurs., Vol.22, No.3, pp. 67-68, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1136/ebnurs-2019-103145
36. [36] S. Islam, C. Chu, and J. C. R. Smart, “Challenges in integrating disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation: Exploring the Bangladesh case,” Int. J. Disaster Risk Reduct., Vol.47, Article No.101540, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2020.101540
37. [37] M. S. Uddin, C. E. Haque, and M. N. Khan, “Good governance and local level policy implementation for disaster-risk-reduction: Actual, perceptual and contested perspectives in coastal communities in Bangladesh,” Disaster Prev. Manag., Vol.30, No.2, pp. 94-111, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1108/DPM-03-2020-0069
38. [38] J. Dai and A. Azhar, “Collaborative governance in disaster management and sustainable development,” Public Adm. Dev., Vol.44, No.4, pp. 358-380, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1002/pad.2071
39. [39] R. Zahri, A. H. M. Ali, S. Matsuura, and S. Rambat, “Enhancing youth resilience in disaster risk reduction: Insights from a systematic literature review,” Environ.-Behav. Proc. J., Vol.10, No.SI33, pp. 63-70, 2025. https://doi.org/10.21834/e-bpj.v10iSI33.7067
40. [40] K. A. Hoque, “Reducing the impact of disaster,” The Daily Star, October 12, 2019. https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/news/reducing-the-impact-disaster-1812772 [Accessed October 27, 2024]
41. [41] C.-C. Lee et al., “Gender matters: The role of women in community-based disaster risk management in Taiwan,” Int. J. Disaster Risk Reduct., Vol.77, Article No.103046, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2022.103046
42. [42] M. S. Rahman, P. K. Sarker, R. Hirono, and L. Giessen, “Implications of development cooperation and state bureaucracy on climate change adaptation policy in Bangladesh,” Climate, Vol.8, No.10, Article No.118, 2020. https://doi.org/10.3390/cli8100118
43. [43] M. Nursey-Bray, M. Masud-All-Kamal, M. Di Giacomo, and S. Millcock, “Building community resilience through youth volunteering: Towards a new model,” Reg. Stud. Reg. Sci., Vol.9, No.1, pp. 242-263, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1080/21681376.2022.2067004
44. [44] M. A. Seddiky, H. Giggins, and T. Gajendran, “International principles of disaster risk reduction informing NGOs strategies for community based DRR mainstreaming: The Bangladesh context,” Int. J. Disaster Risk Reduct., Vol.48, Article No.101580, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2020.101580
45. [45] E. Kurniawan, E. Suharini, and M. Dafip, “How far disaster management implemented toward flood preparedness: A lesson learn from youth participation assessment in Indonesia,” Int. J. Saf. Secur. Eng., Vol.11, No.2, pp. 175-183, 2021. https://doi.org/10.18280/ijsse.110206