Bangladesh
Sheikh Hasina Govt implementing various programmes to reduce disaster risk: PM
Own Correspondent, Dhaka, Oct 13: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that the government has so far constructed about 4,200 multi-purpose cyclone shelters on the coast, 423 flood shelters in flood-prone areas, and 550 Mujib Killas across the country.
She said this in a speech given on the occasion of 'International Disaster Mitigation Day-2022' on Thursday (October 13).
She said, "I am happy to know that 'International Disaster Mitigation Day-2022' is being celebrated in Bangladesh like other countries of the world. I think this year's theme of the day is significant and timely."
The Prime Minister said that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the pioneer of the disaster risk reduction programme. In independent Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib in 1973 established the Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP) as a voluntary organization to deliver early warning messages to the people of coastal areas to reduce disaster risk. He built 'Mujib Killa' to protect lives and property from cyclones.
She said, following the footsteps of the father of the nation, the Awami League government is implementing various programmes to reduce the risk of disasters.
"In 1997, we formulated the first 'Standing Orders on Disasters' to specify the actions of public and private stakeholders from the grassroots level to protect people's lives and the environment during disasters. Later, these orders have been updated in 2010 and 2019 with important instructions to deal with disasters such as earthquakes, landslides, lightning, fires, chemicals etc. 'Delta Plan-2100' has been adopted with special emphasis on disaster management."
Sheikh Hasina said if effective measures are taken before the disaster strikes based on early warning messages, it is possible to reduce the potential damage of the disaster to a large extent.
"For this reason, since 2009, we have greatly reduced the loss of life and property of the people by adopting the traditional 'post-disaster response management' to 'advance management' programme," she said.
At present, to deal with sudden floods and reduce damage, it is possible to give warnings about flood forecasting and flood stability 3 to 5 days before the arrival of floods through remote sensing, GIS, radar, and satellite image analysis. Using advanced mathematical models with modern technology, it is becoming possible to forecast and provide warning messages about cyclones and lightning.
