As Bangladesh observes National Disaster Preparedness Day, efforts to reduce disaster risks are already underway in Cox’s Bazar’s Rohingya camps, where communities face recurring threats of landslides during the monsoon season.

In Camp 10 in Ukhiya, steep slopes, deforestation, and high population density have long made landslides a serious risk for thousands of residents. To address this challenge, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), together with humanitarian partners, is supporting slope stabilization using Nature-Based Solutions (NbS), an approach that combines environmental restoration with community participation.

Instead of relying solely on conventional concrete infrastructure, the intervention strengthens slopes through vegetation, soil stabilization techniques, and improved drainage systems. Vertical grasses planted along vulnerable hillsides help bind soil and reduce erosion, while carefully designed water channels ensure proper drainage, an essential factor in preventing slope collapse during heavy rainfall.

The work is implemented through a Cash-for-Work scheme, providing short-term income opportunities for camp residents while strengthening community resilience. In Camp 10 alone, the initiative is expected to engage 900 beneficiaries over multiple phases, generating more than 14,000 person-days of work. Notably, women have played an active role in the intervention, accounting for around 25–30 percent of participants, despite longstanding cultural barriers to paid work in the camps.