112 Journal of Exclusion Studies Vol. 8, No. 2, August 2018, 112-145 Print ISSN: 2231-4547, Online ISSN: 2231-4555, DOI: 10.5958/2231-4555.2018.00010.4 Research Article Crises mapping and coping strategies: participatory evidence from rural Bangladesh Mohammad Sadiqunnabi Choudhury Associate Professor, Department of Economics, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh Email Id: sadique-eco@sust.edu Abstract: The study focuses on rural livelihoods in the northeast region of Bangladesh highlighting two important aspects: exposure to crises and household coping strategies. It uses participatory methods and quantitative techniques to understand the livelihood dynamics and the extent of livelihood securities. In the broader context of vulnerability, the study investigates how rural people deal with risks to achieve livelihood securities. Findings show that rural people handle minor risks by self-insurance mechanism including cash in hand and household savings. They manage intermediate risks through community or market-based arrangements including borrowing from moneylender or MFIs. For major risks such as flood and cyclone, they often urge for government or donor support. Household’s coping capacity depends on the appropriateness of risk management tools and strength of the households (resilient, weak or fragile). Adaptation and resilience to risks largely depend on household’s resource base and external interventions including inclusive microfinance. Keywords: Vulnerability, coping capacity, adaptation and resilience, participatory approach. Introduction Exposure to risks and shocks destabilizes household’s wellbeing and increases its probability of moving down the poverty line. The probability of being poor or remaining poor is commonly known as vulnerability to poverty in the literature (Morduch, 1994, 1999, Dercon, 2006). In Bangladesh, various economic and non-economic shocks distress rural households at regular or unanticipated intervals. Rahman (1996) and Hussain, et al (1998) organized them into five broad categories. Seasonal shocks cause variations in income and consumption due to seasonal fluctuations in livelihoods. Financial insecurity due to lack of employment opportunities or death of main earners is severe in low-income group. Natural disasters including floods, drought and cyclones hit Bangladesh almost every year causing life-threatening impacts. Health crisis including lack of access to health services, water and sanitation causes vulnerability to contagious and epidemic diseases. Finally, Social crises result from social injustice and deprivations such as marriage with dowry, land disputes, and gender discriminations. Rural households use various formal and informal insurances to cope with such shocks. Reducing vulnerability to poverty is a major concern for rural households in Bangladesh. Coping capacity is a major indicator of household strength in the poverty scale. Households with effective resources are more adaptive and resilient than households that are defenceless due to lack of