Efforts indispensable for disaster risk reduction

BSS, Rajshah :
Speakers at a post-rally discussion Thursday unanimously stressed the need for enhancing public awareness and modern training to protect life, livelihood and resources of the vulnerable people across the country.
It will not only save vulnerable people exposed to natural disasters in various forms but also pave the way for sustainable development of the country.
They viewed the rate of disaster risks is gradually mounting due to various natural and man-made calamities. So, there is no alternative of collective efforts of all government and non-government organizations in this regard.
District Administration and Department of Disaster Management jointly organised the discussion at the conference hall of Deputy Commissioner (DC) here in observance of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction.
“Early warning and early action for all” was the main theme of the day of this year.
To mark the day, local district administration brought out a colourful procession from the Collectorate Building premises that paraded some city streets and concluded at the meeting venue.
A good number of government and non-government officials, political leaders, NGO personalities, civil society members, city elites, journalists and a large number of city dwellers took part in the procession with placards to create awareness among the people about how to reduce disaster risks. In his welcome address District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Md. Salah Uddin -Al- Wadud gave an overview of the country’s disaster situation and its mitigation activities.
DC Abdul Jalil addressed the discussion as chief guest, while Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) KolLyan Chowdhury was in the chair. Deputy Director of the Department of Information Nafeyala Nasrin and Sub-Assistant Director of Fire Service and Civil Defence Zakir Hossain also spoke on the occasion.
In his remarks, DC Abdul Jalil said loss of lives and assets caused by natural disasters could be mitigated to a greater extent through united efforts of all and better management.
Elderly people and children should be given priority in the activities and process of disaster reduction as they are more vulnerable to any disasters.
There is no scope of preventing occurrence of natural catastrophe but there is scope of reducing damage and other casualties through the best uses of modern technologies and communication systems.
Sr. Staff Reporter from Kishoreganj reports : The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction was observed in the country on Thursday like elsewhere in the world.
The District Administration, Fire Service and NGOs have chalked out different programmes like colour full rally, discussion, display and awareness postering marking the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction in Kishoreganj on Thursday.
A discussion meeting was held at Gurudhayal Govt. College premises Thursday morning.
ADC (General l Md.Golam Mostafa presided over the programmes.
It was addressed among others by, Additional SP (Crime & Oos) Mohammad Nure Alam, as special guest, DRO in Kishoreganj Md. Lutfur Rahman, Deputy Assistant Director (DAD) in Fire service Md.Mobarak Ali and BRAC district manager Shafiqul Islam.
Later, a display at local Gurudhayal Govt. College playground in the day.
ADC ( Genarel) Md. Golam Mostafa said that early warning and early action play the main role in reducing losses of disaster and for this reason, the government has included an early warning and early action strategy in its policies and plans.
Additional SP Mohammad Nure Alam said immediately after the independence Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman launched a forestation programme first across the country’s coastal belts to reduce the disaster risks. Construction cyclone shelters and ‘matir kella’ was launched at that time to save people’s life and property.
DRO lurfur Rahman said, The government has taken various programmes to reduce the risks of disaster, he said, adding that the government introduced SAARC Monsoon Initiative Programme in 2012 and launched Bangabandhu Satellite to give people forecasts about disasters.
Recently, the government has taken programmes in 15 districts to save people’s life from lightning strikes, DRO added.
BSS from Bhola, adds: The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction was observed in a befitting manner in the district Thursday.
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 October 13 as the date to commemorate the day.
The 2022 edition focuses on “Early warning and early action for all”.
Marking the day, a rally was brought out from the Deputy Commissioner’s office and paraded different streets in the district town.
An awareness programme on Fire Drill and Earthquake was also held.
Later, a discussion was held at the conference room of the District Commissioner office, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Md Taufiq-e-Lahi Chowdhury addressed the function as the chief guest with Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Bibek Sarkar in the chair.
Superintendent of Police Md. Saiful Islam, Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md. Touhidul Islam, Bir Muktijoddha and Bhola Press Club President M. Habibur Rahman, Deputy Director of Bhola Fire Service and Civil Defense Abdur Razzak, Deputy Director of District Cyclone Preparation Program Abdur Rashid and District Information Officer Md. Nurul Amin, among others, spoke on the function.