A Stakeholder Consultation Workshop on Developing a Climate-Induced Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Action Plan was held on 13 November 2024 in Lalmonirhat Municipality, Bangladesh, under the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) Phase 3 project. The workshop aimed to analyse past disaster events, assess risks, and evaluate vulnerabilities across the municipality’s nine wards to guide the formulation of a comprehensive and actionable Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Action Plan.

The workshop brought key officials from Lalmonirhat Municipality and members of the Town Level Coordination Committee (TLCC). Additional participants included local journalists, community leaders, and representatives from urban and rural development programmes, ensuring a holistic approach to the consultation.

ICLEI South Asia’s Country Representative, Jubaer Rashid, provided an overview of the workshop’s objectives and the methodology to be adopted for developing the DRR Action Plan. During the technical session, participants validated city and climate profiles using secondary data and actively contributed to discussions on risk analysis and vulnerability assessment. The session included disaster risk scoring based on likelihood and severity and ward-level risk mapping to identify disaster-prone areas. These exercises laid the groundwork for targeted interventions and prioritised risk management strategies.

The workshop concluded with actionable insights that will inform the development of Lalmonirhat’s DRR Action Plan. Key findings included the identification of specific vulnerabilities, such as flood-prone zones and areas affected by waterlogging, underscoring the need for ecosystem-based adaptation and improved infrastructure planning.

Climate Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) Accelerating Inclusive Action Programme is focussed on looking at different aspects of climate resilience and implementing locally led adaptation solutions in target countries. This initiative marks a significant step in Lalmonirhat Municipality’s journey toward enhanced preparedness and resilience to climate-induced disasters. The outcomes of this collaborative effort will be incorporated into municipal resilience planning and policy frameworks, paving the way for sustainable urban development.