About the RIVER Project

Empowering flood-prone communities through infrastructure, early-warning readiness, and inclusive capacity building — a joint effort by LGED, the World Bank, and local partners.

Introduction

Bangladesh is one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries. Low elevation, dense river networks, and intense monsoon systems mean riverine and flash floods recur with varying magnitude, periodically inundating vast areas and disrupting lives, livelihoods, education, and essential services. Addressing flood risk is critical to sustainable, resilient development.

The Resilient Infrastructure for Adaptation and Vulnerability Reduction (RIVER) Project, financed by the World Bank and implemented by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), aims to reduce vulnerability to floods and strengthen disaster preparedness and response. The project upgrades and builds climate-resilient multi-purpose flood shelters (co-located with government primary schools) and related access infrastructure, while ensuring that community engagement drives design, use, and long-term sustainability.

A core pillar is Community Engagement, Mobilization, Resilience & Capacity Building (CEMRCB), which ensures inclusive participation — including women, children, people with disabilities, and other marginalized groups — in preparedness, response, shelter operations, and maintenance.

14
Districts
78
Upazilas
500+
Communities
5 yrs
Program Span
Project Coverage: 78 upazilas across 14 districts (Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Sylhet divisions), targeting 500+ communities around proposed shelter sites. Districts include Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Rangpur, Gaibandha, Bogura, Pabna, Sirajganj, Rajbari, Faridpur, Gopalganj, Madaripur, Sunamganj, Habiganj.

Project Components

1) Resilient Flood Shelters & Community Infrastructure

INFRA
  • Construction/rehabilitation of climate-resilient shelters functioning as schools and emergency centers.
  • Inclusive design features: elevated plinths/land-raising, separate/adequate WASH, spaces for women/children/PwD and livestock/cooking, improved year-round usability.
  • Distributed renewable energy (e.g., solar PV nano-grids) & energy-efficient practices for critical services during shocks.
  • Climate-resilient shelter-connecting roads and prioritized community infrastructure (culverts/bridges, access & evacuation routes, landings) via consultation.

2) Strengthening Capacity for Disaster Preparedness & Response & Technical Assistance

SYSTEMS
  • Contingency planning with local LGED & systematic damage/loss/needs methodologies.
  • Upgraded shelter databases, backup/recovery, and integrated ICT/GIS for monitoring & decisions.
  • Community preparedness & CBDRM training (EWS, first aid, search & rescue, risk mapping & HVCA, WASH/health/nutrition, GBV mitigation, school continuity).
  • Guidance for evacuation & shelter management, and updated O&M for shelters & local infrastructure.

3) Project Management, Design, and Supervision, Monitoring, and Evaluation

M&E
  • PIU establishment; support for design/procurement/supervision; E&S instruments.
  • Capacity development for participatory planning, project M&E, and ICT-enabled real-time tracking.
  • Strategic studies for scale-up; master planning for long-term O&M of shelters under future climates.

4) Contingency Emergency Response

CERC

A dedicated mechanism to rapidly reallocate funds during eligible crises for response and reconstruction, activated under agreed procedures and safeguards.

“Beyond safe structures, resilience grows from informed, organized, and inclusive communities — prepared to act before, during, and after floods.”