Improving disaster preparedness and recovery of Bangladesh riverbank erosion areas: Insights from household perceptions and practices

Riverbank erosion significantly affects lives and livelihoods but is still neglected in disaster risk reduction (DRR) research and policy, which tend to focus on rapid-onset events. This research examines how household preparedness affects recovery outcomes in riverbank erosion-prone areas in Bangladesh, addressing an important gap in understanding anticipatory action to slow-onset disasters. Drawing from a mixed-methods approach consisting of household surveys ( n = 280), focus group discussions, and key informant interviews in Harirampur and Sariakandi Upazilas, the research develops and utilises a multidimensional preparedness index. The index covers behavioural, socio-economic, and institutional aspects of preparedness, providing a new framework for assessing household preparedness in chronic hazard settings. The preparedness index shows that households in the low to somewhat prepared categories are among the most recently impacted. Past-impacted households in Harirampur are marginally better off than Sariakandi. Harirampur households' preparedness was linked with significantly lower asset loss. In both sites, insufficient financial resources and the absence of early warning systems were major barriers, and most households' recovery time exceeds two years. The findings show that local knowledge and informal coping strategies boost resilience, while the lack of early warnings and material support adversely affects preparedness. By linking preparedness to recovery and establishing its role in reducing asset losses, we add new empirical evidence and a practical tool that helps target households in need of support. The findings emphasize how context-specific preparedness should be integrated into national DRR frameworks and inclusive community-based approaches in erosion-prone areas. • Household preparedness levels are typically lower, and prior experience with erosion increases preparedness. • The lack of early warning systems and institutional support affects preparedness. • Financial constraints are the main barrier to effective disaster response. • Higher preparedness is linked with fewer asset losses and improved asset recovery. • Engineering solutions are always preferable, and local knowledge has proven ineffective.