The River Basin Programme supported by Oxfam-GB since 1998. Every year the char dwellers face severe flood devastation that makes them more vulnerable resulting increase in their misery and poverty. The people face severe vulnerability caused by disruption, food security and lack of adequate basic services. The houses of the char area are not at proper height so that
the houses can be used as shelter during flood for primarily saving their lives and belongings. As such, because of inadequate numbers of duly elevated homesteads, the community people, particularly the disadvantaged and the poor are compelled to take shelter either on embankment, road or unsafe places near their houses. Women face more difficulties than
male because they have to maintain the household, water fetching and do many household works. In the char areas access to safe drinking water and latrines are inadequate. All these put the women in a vulnerable situation.

The target group includes widow, abandoned, disabled and hard-core poor and divorced women. Number of total beneficiaries are 4557. Operational area of the project are North Tarabunia, Kachikata, Charvaga union of Bhedergonj Upazila, CharAtra, Nawapara, Ghorisher of Naria Upazilla and Kunderchar union of Zanjira upazilla of Shariatpur district.
The programme supported by Oxfam-GB since 1998. The project aim is to reduce vulnerability to disaster by strengthening appropriate mechanism and improving livelihood situation for poor women living in the char areas of Shariatpur.
Objectives of the project

To reduce the vulnerability of the poorest communities to flood in a number of the most flood affected locations

To increase involvement of SDS and community to preparedness to respond to the flood emergencies

To improve livelihood options of the char dwellers

To change policies, practices, ideas and beliefs to reduce vulnerabilities of the poorest
communities.