Evaluating Cyclone Resilience of Coastal Health Infrastructure in Bangladesh and Japan

Implementing Partner: Build Change

Project name: Evaluating Cyclone Resilience of Coastal Health Infrastructure in Bangladesh and Japan

This study examines the resilience of coastal healthcare infrastructure in Bangladesh against cyclonic disasters.

While hospitals play a crucial role in emergencies, disaster preparedness research remains scarce in both Bangladesh and Japan. By identifying strengths and gaps in infrastructure, planning, and response systems, this project provides actionable insights to improve hospital resilience.

Findings support enhanced design, policy frameworks, and coordination strategies to strengthen disaster management in vulnerable coastal regions, ensuring effective emergency response.

Annual cyclone losses
in Bangladesh
$ 0 mn
Coastal Bangladesh
highly exposed to
cyclones
0 %

Impact and Key Findings

1

The project reveals that healthcare facilities score moderately on the Cyclonic Disaster Resilience Index, emphasizing the need for strategic improvements. These scores serve as a benchmark for evaluating preparedness and guiding resilience-building efforts in critical health infrastructure. 

2

Comparative findings indicate weak occupational safety in Bangladesh’s healthcare centers, while Japan’s hospitals demonstrate moderate performance. This contrast underscores the need for localized assessments to pinpoint vulnerabilities and implement targeted safety enhancements for improved healthcare resilience. 

3

By providing a clear evaluation framework, this study enhances budget allocation and disaster planning. It helps health systems prioritize infrastructure upgrades, ensuring essential healthcare services remain operational during and after climate-induced emergencies, strengthening overall resilience and emergency preparedness. 

Resources

Aishwarya Pillai

Lead Specialist

Alpana heads institutional partnerships, governance, and resource mobilization at CDRI, advancing cross-sector collaborations that drive resilient infrastructure programming across Member Countries and organizations. With over 25 years of experience spanning international development, global health, and the non-profit sector, she brings deep expertise in fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and delivering strategic change. 

At CDRI, Alpana has been pivotal in forging strategic alliances with governments, international organizations, and philanthropies. She also plays a key role in fortifying institutional systems and board governance mechanisms as the Coalition transitions into an international organization. 

Before joining CDRI, Alpana held senior leadership roles at The George Institute for Global Health, Plan India, WaterAid India, and SOS Children’s Villages, leading institutional fundraising and cultivating strategic partnerships for social impact. 

She holds a Master’s in Finance & Control from Aligarh Muslim University and completed Executive Education at Harvard Business School (CSR India). Her work is driven by a commitment to building enduring, values-based partnerships that accelerate sustainable development outcomes. 

Alpana Saha

Director, Partnerships, Governance, and Resource Mobilisation 

Alpana heads institutional partnerships, governance, and resource mobilization at CDRI, advancing cross-sector collaborations that drive resilient infrastructure programming across Member Countries and organizations. With over 25 years of experience spanning international development, global health, and the non-profit sector, she brings deep expertise in fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and delivering strategic change. 

At CDRI, Alpana has been pivotal in forging strategic alliances with governments, international organizations, and philanthropies. She also plays a key role in fortifying institutional systems and board governance mechanisms as the Coalition transitions into an international organization. 

Before joining CDRI, Alpana held senior leadership roles at The George Institute for Global Health, Plan India, WaterAid India, and SOS Children’s Villages, leading institutional fundraising and cultivating strategic partnerships for social impact. 

She holds a Master’s in Finance & Control from Aligarh Muslim University and completed Executive Education at Harvard Business School (CSR India). Her work is driven by a commitment to building enduring, values-based partnerships that accelerate sustainable development outcomes.