BSS, Rangpur :
Institutionalisation of community-based disaster management and early preparedness with efficient emergency response systems can substantially reduce risks of natural disasters, losses of lives and properties.
The opinion came at an orientation workshop organised by Rangpur City Corporation (RCC) and ‘Pollishree’ under the “Enhancing Inclusive Disaster Resilience in Bangladesh (EIDRB)’ project with Oxfam assistance at Afanullah High School here on Monday.
The National Alliance for Risk Reduction and Response Initiatives
Consortium extends cooperation in implementing the project to
institutionalise Community-based Disaster Management Preparedness (CBDP) Model at the ward levels.
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.
Thirty members of the Ward Disaster Management Committees (WDMCs) for Ward No-30, Master Trainers, community leaders and volunteers participated in the workshop.
With Headmaster of Afanullah High School Mofazzal Hossain in the chair, City Councilor for Ward No-30 Jahangir Alam Tota attended and addressed the workshop as the chief guest.
Project Officer of ‘Pollishree’ Fazlul Haque delivered keynote presentation in the workshop elaborately narrating about the goals and objectives of the event as well as the ongoing project for building a disaster resilient Bangladesh.
Assistant Director of Rangpur Fire Service and Civil Defense Station Mohammad Ali and teacher of the school Abdul Jalil also addressed the workshop moderated by Project Officer of ‘Pollishree’ Rezaul Karim Reza. The speakers narrated about various forms of natural disasters and calamities, including earthquake, with statistics of loses of human lives and suggested way-outs for reducing disaster risks in the community levels and disaster-prone areas.
They put emphasis on coordinated efforts of the GO-NGOs, communityleaders, volunteers and public representatives in creating awareness and disseminating necessary 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 also called for innovating local mechanisms at community levels and adopting early preparedness, involving community people and members of the WDMCs and volunteers, to minimise losses of lives and properties during natural disasters.
