In the landslide-prone hills of Teknaf Upazila, Kulsuma Begum, a 35-year-old single mother, is leading a quiet revolution in community resilience. For over 15 years, she has volunteered as a disaster preparedness champion, helping her community face the recurring threats of cyclones, floods, and landslides in Cox’s Bazar — one of Bangladesh’s most climate-vulnerable districts.

Initially facing social and personal hurdles as a single mother living in her parents' home, Kulsuma never wavered in her commitment to protect the most vulnerable — especially women, children, and persons with disabilities (PWDs). Through UNDP’s Landslide Risk Management Project, she received critical training on disaster preparedness and landslide risk reduction.

What sets Kulsuma apart is her ability to turn training into action. She formed and now leads a 10-member all-women volunteer team, organizing courtyard meetings, simulation drills, drama shows, and early warning campaigns during disaster seasons. Armed with a megaphone and a deep understanding of risk zones, Kulsuma personally visits hard-to-reach hill homes to ensure timely evacuations.

“It is possible to reduce the impact of natural disaster only if you are cautious enough to read the signs and follow the plan,” says Kulsuma. “I’m glad that UNDP has equipped me to play a proactive role.”

Her efforts have helped ensure zero deaths in her community of Old Palyan Para during recent disasters — a remarkable achievement in a high-risk zone. Beyond saving lives, she’s empowering other women to take leadership roles in disaster preparedness and resilience building.

Kulsuma’s story is proof that when local women are empowered with the right tools, they can become the backbone of community safety in times of crisis.

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