Coping Strategies Practiced by Displaces for River Erosion

The study aimed at assessing the extent of coping strategies practiced by the displacees due to river erosion and socio-demographic factors influencing the practice of coping strategies. The study was conducted in Mehendigonj upazila of Barisal district. Descriptive and diagnostic research design and simple random sampling techniques were applied for gathering pertinent data. Data were collected during May to June 2010 by using a pre-tested interview schedule. Eleven socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents were considered as the independent variables, while coping strategies practiced by the respondents was the dependent variable of the study. Majority of the respondents (74%) practiced medium level of coping strategies against river erosion and rest of them (26%) practiced low level of coping strategies while none of the respondents practiced high level of coping strategies. Correlation analysis indicates that age, education, earning family member and organizational participation had significant positive relationship with the practice of coping strategies. Three leading coping strategies practiced by the respondents were ‘searching for social assistance’, reducing portion size of meal’, and ‘seeking help from NGOs’. Significant positive differences were found in respondents’ source of drinking water and type of toilet during his/her first shift of house to the time of interview. Massive educational program focusing awareness, rescue, motivation and creation of additional income generating activities were provided as major suggestions to enhance the coping ability of the river erosion affected people.