Community-based preparedness to reduce disaster risks stressed

Community-based adequate early preparedness alongside ensuring efficient emergency response management systems could reduce risks of natural disasters, loss of human lives.

The observation came at a discussion jointly organised by the district administration and Rangpur City Corporation (RpCC) at the conference room of the City Bhaban on Wednesday afternoon to observe the International Day for Disaster Reduction-2021.

Earlier, Personnel of Rangpur Fire Service and Civil Defense Station, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society volunteers and scouts demonstrated mock drills on post- earthquake management and fire fighting on the City Bhaban premises in the presence of crowds.

Panel Mayor of Rangpur Mahmudur Rahman Titu attended the discussion as the chief guest with Secretary of RpCC Rashedul Islam in the chair.

District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer ATM Akhteruzzaman, Assistant Director of Rangpur Fire Service and Civil Defense Station Faridul Islam and City Councilor (Ward No-21) Mahbubur Rahman Monju addressed the discussion as special guests.

Project Officer of Community Initiative Society Shihab Hossain, Administrative Officer of Brac Md Zahid Hossain and UNICEF Representative Rawshan Rahman also spoke.

Akhteruzzaman discussed various types of natural disasters and statistics of damages caused by major disasters in the country and world in recent decades and forwarded suggestions to reduce disaster risks in both urban and rural areas.

"The present government has taken comprehensive time-befitting steps to reduce disaster risks through disseminating information and warnings and ensuring early preparedness, training and emergency response management systems," he said.

The speakers expressed concern over frequent incidents of natural disasters like earthquake, tornado, cyclone, tidal surge, drought, flood and river and coastal erosion being caused as a result of adverse impacts of climate change.

Faridul Islam stressed on innovation of newer technologies and equipments and educating youths people on early preparedness for launching comprehensive post-disaster managements at community levels to reduce losses of human lives.

The chief guest said Bangladesh has achieved notable success in disaster management and stressed on disseminating knowledge among community people for taking early preparedness to reduce risks of natural disasters.

Source: BSS