'Disaster preparedness enhanced'

Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu on Thursday said the government has strengthened the country's disaster preparedness by reinforcing early warning systems, expanding emergency response capacity and shifting from a relief-based approach to comprehensive disaster risk reduction.

Responding to a tabled question from ruling party MP Md Mostafizur Rahman Babul elected from Jamalpur-3 in Parliament, the minister said Bangladesh remains highly vulnerable to cyclones, floods, flash floods, river erosion, lightning, heatwaves and landslides due to its geographical location and the growing impacts of climate change, UNB reports.

He said the government has transformed disaster management from a relief-centred approach to an integrated risk reduction-based system aimed at minimising loss of life and property.

He said the government's preparedness measures also include keeping the Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP), Fire Service and Civil Defence, law enforcement agencies and volunteers on standby to ensure rapid response during disasters.

The minister said the ministry has procured search and rescue equipment, kept the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) operational and maintained adequate stocks of gratuitous relief (GR), cash assistance, dry food, corrugated iron sheets and other emergency relief materials.

He said the government is also implementing Anticipatory Action initiatives, activating disaster management committees in line with the Disaster Management Act, 2012 and the Standing Orders on Disaster (SOD) 2019, and coordinating preparedness activities with all relevant stakeholders.

"As a result, disaster-related casualties and damage to property have been reduced significantly, while the disaster resilience of communities has increased remarkably," Dulu told the House.

Highlighting efforts to strengthen emergency response capacity, the minister said that under Components 2 and 3 of the Disaster Risk Management Enhancement Project, telecommunication equipment, megaphones, sirens, stretchers, life jackets, radio sets and first-aid kits have been supplied to 35 upazilas in 12 coastal districts.

He said the government will also provide one rescue speedboat to each of the country's 12 coastal districts and supply 43 shallow-water rescue boats to five flood-prone districts to improve emergency rescue operations during disasters.