Speakers at a workshop on Sunday said dissemination of accurate information in right time through proper channels can save many lives during natural disasters, including flood and landslides, in the country.
They stressed the need for engagement of the private sector in’Communication with Communities (CwC)’ model to help disaster-affected people.
UN migration agency ‘International Organisation for Migration (IOM)’ and international humanitarian organisation ‘Action Against Hunger’ in collaboration with UKaid jointly organised the consultative workshop titled “Engaging Private Sector in Communication with Communities Mainstreaming” at a city hotel.
The speakers said telecommunication companies, print and electronic media can engage in CwC directly under Shongjog, a multi-stakeholder platform on CwC formed aiming to ensure identified credible sources of information, where information is managed and updated during emergency.
IOM Project Development Officer Michael Hewitt made a power point presentation over the CwC programme taken by IOM.
“Right information in right time can save lives and families. But bad information or misinformation can cause death. CwC programme could be effective in saving lives and helping disaster-affected people,” he said.
The implementation of CwC notion can save lives, strengthen the relief effort, quash rumours and misinformation, give affected populations a voice and manage community expectations, he added.
The private sector can provide financial aid and install shelter homes directly or indirectly through non-government organisaitons or humanitarian organisations, Michael Hewitt added.
National Programme Officer of Action Against Hunger Mohammad Shakil Mansoor said CwC is an indispensable notion to ensure best results and transparency in humanitarian interventions during disasters.
He said the corporate houses can assist disaster-hit people from their corporate social responsibility (CSR) fund.
Business Development Specialist of Bangladesh Training and Research Foundation Sayed Foysal Ahmed said CwC is important as it creates a two-way communication system with strong feedback mechanism, which is an important part of the core humanitarian standard.
Representatives from different corporate houses and media attended the workshop.
