Why modification of the ECLAC methodology for Bangladesh is important? Observation from housing, commerce and transport sector in cyclone Mora in Teknaf Upazila, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh

An immediate and precise Damage and Loss Assessment (DaLA) is necessary after the occurrence of any disaster to bounce back to its previous stage perceiving the recovery needs. Since the ECLAC (Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean) methodology has been identified as the most consistent and comprehensive one worldwide for DaLA, this research aims to apply and modify the ECLAC for the housing, commerce, and transportation sectors in the context of Bangladesh as it needs to incorporate both its formal and informal economies in DaLA. An immediate field visit was performed in Teknaf Upazila after the occurrence of cyclone Mora in 2017 following 12 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and 135 individual surveys for the above mentioned sectors. This study considers alternative sources for baseline data because of its unavailability and a constant Likert scale throughout the assessment. While applying the ECLAC, several adjustments have been obtained depending on the local characteristics that create differences in the estimation of modified DaLA from the conventional ECLAC. In the case of the housing sector, all three damage, loss, and additional cost estimations are modified. On the other hand, the damage and especially the loss have been revised for the commerce sector. Also the loss and additional cost estimation for the transportation sector have been separated and modifications have been adopted. This study may help to estimate avoiding the over and under-estimation of damage and loss and can be applied in future disasters in Bangladesh and other developing countries. The researchers can develop a complete ECLAC methodology examining the other sectors and the government can take initiatives to apply the revised ECLAC methodology for a proper reconstruction and recovery planning. •A constant ‘Likert scale’ can ease the analysis and avoid under or over-damage assessment.•‘Post-disaster market value’ is more appropriate and reliable to consider for all sectoral damage and loss assessment.•As the damage cost of utility services of an individual household is taken by the household itself in Bangladesh, it is considered a separate damage category.•Commercial loss for any special occasion or festive season is required to consider.•Loss and additional cost estimation for the transportation sector are dissociated.