The Bangladesh Disaster Preparedness Centre (BDPC) was established in 1992 as Bangladesh's first independent, local NGO focused solely on disaster risk reduction (DRR). Devastating floods in 1988 and a cyclone claiming 138,000 lives in 1991 highlighted the need for a shift from post-disaster response to pre-disaster preparedness. Although billions had been spent on relief and recovery, communities remained vulnerable and under prepared for the next disaster. BDPC set out to put vulnerable communities at the centre of disaster management, adopting a community-based approach, complemented by advocacy, policy advice and knowledge sharing.