The Gulf of Mottama region, Myanmar is home to diverse communities whose livelihoods are mainly dependent on their coastal environment. However, the region faces various natural hazards, necessitating a participatory approach to disaster risk management. The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction established in 2015, serves as an effective guide for CBDRM planning. This study aims at reviewing the likelihood and impacts of various disasters on coastal communities in the GoM region, identifying common disasters, assess disaster risk levels, and highlighting disaster-prone areas for risk mitigation. The methodology involves the review of CBDRM plans, focusing on disaster profiles, seasonal calendars, hazard and vulnerability mapping, and climate change impacts. Disaster risk assessment involves evaluating frequency and impacts, with risk calculated as the product of these two factors.

Among others, the study emphasizes floods, storms, coastal erosion, and drought as major challenges in the region. Specific assessments are made for each disaster type. Flood risk is widespread, with most agricultural areas in both Mon and Bago, facing median risk. Storm risk is prevalent, with 10 villages experiencing high risk. Drought risk is comparatively lower, with preventive measures implemented in many villages. Coastal erosion significantly impacts some villages, leading to the loss of agricultural land and the relocation of villages. The report is complemented with changes in the coastline from 2015 to 2022 from another study, indicating land loss due to coastal erosion in Bago and land gains due to sedimentation in Mon, however, alternating pattern is expected in the near future.

An integrated assessment considers all four disaster types, revealing medium to very high levels of risks in Thanatpin, Kawa, and Waw townships in Bago. The report discusses the regional variations in vulnerability, attributing flood risk in Bago to flat topography and human activities. Flooding with high risk mostly happened on Bago side, however, it happened in Mon side as well depending on the catchment area, and distance to the river or stream. Notably, the villages in Thanatpin, Kawa and Waw Townships face challenges associated with medium to very high levels of risks pertaining to the disasters, such as flood, storm and coastal erosion. In the case of coastal erosion, Bago and Mon sides have high risk level, besides, both sides are prone to severe erosion at the highest risk of future erosion under unpredictable circumstances for a long time. In addition, this large-scale erosion/sedimentation process is not evenly along the whole coast and in some areas the pattern can be locally different. Among studied townships, villages in Thanatpin were severely affected by the storm high risk although there was no village with a very high risk of storm in the villages on both Mon and Bago side. Coastal villages in Bago face challenges with limited infrastructure to protect from disasters, leading to village relocation. The findings serve as valuable inputs for coastal disaster risk reduction, adaptable to different coastal environments. The report emphasizes community engagement, awareness, and ownership in implementing CBDRM plans. It advocates for promoting disaster preparedness, capacity building, sustainable land management, and enhancing early warning systems.

The recommendations highlight creating communities that can be resilient in the face of disasters. This assessment highlights the importance of disaster risk reduction strategies, acknowledging regional variations in vulnerability. The study emphasises the significance of community-driven approaches, with detailed assessments providing insights for necessary interventions. The findings are expected to contribute to a deeper understanding of disaster risks, guiding initiatives for resilient and sustainable communities in the Gulf of Mottama region.