Community-based disaster management andearly preparedness with efficient emergency response systems couldsubstantially reduce risks of natural disasters, including earthquake, losses of lives and properties.
The opinion came at inaugural ceremony of three-day training workshop organised by ‘Pollishree’ under the ‘Enhancing Inclusive Disaster Resilience in Bangladesh (EIDRB)’ project with Oxfam assistance at Afanullah High School in Rangpur yesterday.
Rangpur City Corporation and National Alliance for Risk Reduction & Response Initiatives Consortium are assisting in implementing the project at ward levels in the city corporation area.
The European Commission Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection extended financial assistance in arranging the workshop to institutionalise the Community-based Disaster Management Preparedness Model involving the local population at ward levels.
Members of the Ward Disaster Management Committee (WDMC) for Ward No-30, community leaders and volunteers have been participating in the workshop.
With President of Ward No-30 WDMC Abdul Jalil Mian in the chair, Headmaster of Afanullah High School Mofazzal Hossain attended the inaugural ceremony as the chief guest.
City Councilor for Ward No-30 Jahangir Alam Tota was present as the special guest.
Moderated by Officer of ‘Pollishree’ Rezaul Karim Reza, its Project Officer Fazlul Haque delivered keynote presentation narrating about the goals and objectives of the event as well as the project for building a disaster resilient Bangladesh.
The speakers narrated about various types of natural disasters and
calamities, including earthquake, with statistics of losses of human
lives and suggested way-outs for reducing disaster risks in the
community levels and disaster-prone areas.
They put importance on coordinated efforts of the GO-NGOs, community
leaders, volunteers and public representatives in disseminating
knowledge among the common people to reduce losses during natural
disasters.
The chief guest called for creating awareness, adopting early
preparedness and ensuring efficient emergency response management
systems through effective dissemination of information to minimise
damages during natural disasters.
He underscored the need for innovating community-based local
mechanisms and adopting early preparedness, involving community people
and members of the WDMCs and volunteers, to reduce the risks during
natural disasters.
