Impact of Climate-Induced Cyclonic Disaster on Sustainable Livelihood Assets and Its Relevance to Household Food Security

The food security of any household largely depends on the security or sustainability of livelihoods. The livelihood security of the households of the southwestern coastal region of Bangladesh is immensely affected by various climatic conditions and disasters. The present research is intended to conduct a very in-depth study on the impact of cyclonic disaster on all types of livelihood capitals (i.e., natural, physical, human, social, and financial capital) and the relevance of such impacts to the food security conditions of the study area. The results of the present study show that the percentages of livelihood related to food production are decreasing because of a cyclonic disaster-induced unfavorable environment in the study area. The decreased employment opportunities reducing the income level also lowered the purchasing capacity for food and other daily basic necessities. Thus, switching occupation or migrating to other places seems to be the only option to them to survive. Such a change of occupation and land use that are related to food production would decrease the food supply of the area. In order to maintain sustainable livelihood and food security for households of the study area the long-term disaster resilience plan and policies should be taken and implemented for vulnerable coastal areas such as Shyamnagar Upazila.