Forced DisplacementResearch article
Keeping Families Together during Repeated Evacuations in Coastal Bangladesh
- Sadia Mahmud · University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
Abstract
Repeated evacuation can disrupt family care arrangements even when households remain within the same coastal district. This study examines how families coordinate movement during successive cyclone warnings in three upazilas of Bangladesh. Researchers conducted two survey rounds with 278 households, reconstructed evacuation sequences for 46 families, and observed preparedness meetings in nine villages. Sequence analysis distinguished households moving together from those separating members across shelters, relatives' homes, and livestock sites. Families with older adults requiring assistance were more likely to delay departure or divide responsibilities between locations. Women frequently coordinated information across these locations while also caring for children in crowded shelters. Previous evacuation experience improved knowledge of routes but did not remove constraints related to mobility or animal care. The findings show that household evacuation is often a distributed process involving several linked destinations. Retrospective accounts may omit short movements and disagreements within families. Preparedness planning should recognise separated care arrangements and provide accessible transport, reliable family communication, and practical options for safeguarding essential livelihood assets.
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Mahmud, S. (2026). Keeping Families Together during Repeated Evacuations in Coastal Bangladesh. Journal of Migration and Displacement. https://jmddiu.org/articles/keeping-families-together-during-repeated-evacuations-in-coastal-bangladesh-78121c50
Mahmud, Sadia. “Keeping Families Together during Repeated Evacuations in Coastal Bangladesh.” Journal of Migration and Displacement, 2026, https://jmddiu.org/articles/keeping-families-together-during-repeated-evacuations-in-coastal-bangladesh-78121c50.
Mahmud, Sadia. “Keeping Families Together during Repeated Evacuations in Coastal Bangladesh.” Journal of Migration and Displacement (2026). https://jmddiu.org/articles/keeping-families-together-during-repeated-evacuations-in-coastal-bangladesh-78121c50.
Mahmud, S. (2026) ‘Keeping Families Together during Repeated Evacuations in Coastal Bangladesh’, Journal of Migration and Displacement. Available at: https://jmddiu.org/articles/keeping-families-together-during-repeated-evacuations-in-coastal-bangladesh-78121c50 (Accessed: 4 November 2026).
S. Mahmud, “Keeping Families Together during Repeated Evacuations in Coastal Bangladesh,” Journal of Migration and Displacement, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://jmddiu.org/articles/keeping-families-together-during-repeated-evacuations-in-coastal-bangladesh-78121c50
Mahmud S. Keeping Families Together during Repeated Evacuations in Coastal Bangladesh. Journal of Migration and Displacement [Internet]. 2026 Jul 7 [cited 2026 Nov 4]. Available from: https://jmddiu.org/articles/keeping-families-together-during-repeated-evacuations-in-coastal-bangladesh-78121c50
@article{mahmud2026keeping,
author = {Mahmud, Sadia},
title = {{Keeping Families Together during Repeated Evacuations in Coastal Bangladesh}},
journal = {Journal of Migration and Displacement},
year = {2026},
month = {jul},
publisher = {Dhaka International University},
url = {https://jmddiu.org/articles/keeping-families-together-during-repeated-evacuations-in-coastal-bangladesh-78121c50},
keywords = {forced displacement, family separation, cyclone evacuation, care arrangements, coastal Bangladesh},
abstract = {Repeated evacuation can disrupt family care arrangements even when households remain within the same coastal district. This study examines how families coordinate movement during successive cyclone warnings in three upazilas of Bangladesh. Researchers conducted two survey rounds with 278 households, reconstructed evacuation sequences for 46 families, and observed preparedness meetings in nine villages. Sequence analysis distinguished households moving together from those separating members across shelters, relatives' homes, and livestock sites. Families with older adults requiring assistance were more likely to delay departure or divide responsibilities between locations. Women frequently coordinated information across these locations while also caring for children in crowded shelters. Previous evacuation experience improved knowledge of routes but did not remove constraints related to mobility or animal care. The findings show that household evacuation is often a distributed process involving several linked destinations. Retrospective accounts may omit short movements and disagreements within families. Preparedness planning should recognise separated care arrangements and provide accessible transport, reliable family communication, and practical options for safeguarding essential livelihood assets.}
}TY - JOUR AU - Mahmud, Sadia TI - Keeping Families Together during Repeated Evacuations in Coastal Bangladesh JO - Journal of Migration and Displacement PY - 2026 DA - 2026/07/07 PB - Dhaka International University UR - https://jmddiu.org/articles/keeping-families-together-during-repeated-evacuations-in-coastal-bangladesh-78121c50 KW - forced displacement KW - family separation KW - cyclone evacuation KW - care arrangements KW - coastal Bangladesh AB - Repeated evacuation can disrupt family care arrangements even when households remain within the same coastal district. This study examines how families coordinate movement during successive cyclone warnings in three upazilas of Bangladesh. Researchers conducted two survey rounds with 278 households, reconstructed evacuation sequences for 46 families, and observed preparedness meetings in nine villages. Sequence analysis distinguished households moving together from those separating members across shelters, relatives' homes, and livestock sites. Families with older adults requiring assistance were more likely to delay departure or divide responsibilities between locations. Women frequently coordinated information across these locations while also caring for children in crowded shelters. Previous evacuation experience improved knowledge of routes but did not remove constraints related to mobility or animal care. The findings show that household evacuation is often a distributed process involving several linked destinations. Retrospective accounts may omit short movements and disagreements within families. Preparedness planning should recognise separated care arrangements and provide accessible transport, reliable family communication, and practical options for safeguarding essential livelihood assets. ER -
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