BSS :
The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2021 will be observed in the country today like elsewhere in the world.
The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is being observed since 1989, after a call by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) for a day to promote a global culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction. In 2009, the UNGA officially designated 13 October as the date to commemorate the day.
The 2021 edition focuses on “International cooperation for developing countries to reduce their disaster risk and disaster losses.”
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday issued separate messages on the occasion of the day.
In his message, President Abdul Hamid said the negative impacts of global warming and climate change are being observed around the world today. Bangladesh is one of the most disaster-prone areas in the world due to its geographical locations alongside climate change, he said, adding that recurrent natural disasters like cyclone, flood, tornado, tidal surge and lightning take place in the country.
The President said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had introduced the Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP) after about 10 lakh people were killed in a devastating cyclone in 1970.
The CPP is an integral part of Bangladesh’s disaster management as it is playing an important role in protecting the lives and assets of the country’s coastal people, he said.
Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Abdul Hamid said the government is working sincerely to protect the lives and livelihoods of commoners by distributing relief among the people and providing stimulus in different sectors.
In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the Awami League government showed a remarkable success in saving the lives and assets of people from natural and manmade disasters in the last couples of years and it updated the Standing Orders on Disasters (SOD).
She said the government has taken the Delta Plan-2100 involving disaster issues. “In reducing risk to lives and properties during disasters, at present the disaster risk management of Bangladesh is recognised as a role model.
The premier said the country’s people have achieved the capacity to protect their lives and assets from any disaster, getting encouraged from various programmes and projects of the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry.
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is the pioneer in formulating disaster risk reduction programmes in the country, Sheikh Hasina said.
She said Bangabandhu took steps to build Mujib Killa for saving the lives and assets of people from cyclones and established the CPP too.
The theme of day this year – ‘work together in reducing disaster risks’ – is time-befitting and significance, the prime minister said.
She said all, including public representatives, administration, social workers and media personnel, should work together in addressing disasters in the country.
