Experts at a post-rally discussion have underscored the need for adaptation to climate change and taking community-based early preparedness to reduce risks of natural calamities and disasters.
They expressed the view at the discussion organised by the Rangpur district administration on the Banyan Tree premises of Rangpur Zila School here on Saturday afternoon in observance of the International Day for Disaster Reduction- 2018.
Rangpur Fire Service and Civil Defense Station conducted artificial earthquake drills on the school ground in presence of huge crowds, including students, teachers, guardians, volunteers, officials and elite of the city.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Enamul Habib attended discussion as the chief guest with Acting District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Abul Hayat in the chair.
Acting Divisional Deputy Director of the Fire Service and Civil Defense Yunus Ali, disaster management expert of Bangladesh Red Crescent Society Elias Ahmed and Headmaster of Rangpur Zila School AR Mizanur Rahman spoke as special guests.
Hayat discussed various types of natural disasters and statistics of damages caused by major disasters in the country and globe as a whole in recent times and forwarded suggestions to reduce disaster risks.
“The present government has taken various programmes to reduce disaster risks through dissemination of information and warning, early preparedness, training and effective emergency response management systems,” he said.
Ali expressed concern over frequent incidents of tornado, earth quake, tsunami, tidal surge, drought, floods and river and coastal erosions being caused by adverse impacts of climate change, affecting every sector of the civilisation.
He called for innovating newer scientific technologies, ways and educating the people on early preparedness and comprehensive post-disaster managements to reduce losses of human lives during natural disasters.
The chief guest stressed taking adequate early preparedness, adapting to climate change and disseminating knowledge among the common people at community levels to reduce risks of natural disasters.
“The losses of human lives can be reduced substantially through providing training on basic first aids and making the volunteers, students and youths prepared to enable them assisting the victims in time,” he said..
