Central disaster management, restoration centre established at CU

A Central Disaster Management and Restoration Centre is set to be established at Chittagong University (CU) with the aim of providing co-ordinated, effective and sustainable support to people affected by natural disasters across the country on Tuesday.

The information was disclosed by University Central Students’ Union (CUCSU) Social Welfare and Environment Affairs Secretary Tahsina Rahman at a press conference held at the CUCSU building at 3:30 pm, reports BSS.
She said fundraising activities for the proposed centre began.

Tahsina Rahman said, “Recent continuous rainfall and hill torrents have affected nearly 4-5 lakh people in Chattogram. Earlier, devastating floods struck Sylhet in 2022, Feni in 2024, while severe flooding occurs almost every year in the northern region.

The initiative to establish the CU Central Disaster Management and Restoration Centre has been taken to provide co-ordinated and long-term support to disaster-affected people.”

She said district and upazila students’ associations, department-based organisations, as well as social, cultural and voluntary organisations of the university would work under the platform.

This would facilitate the formation of a larger disaster fund, quicker decision-making, systematic relief distribution and long-term Restorative activities, the CUCSU leader added.

Tahsina Rahman further said, “We have already held two meetings with the university proctor regarding the initiative and he has given his preliminary consent. A meeting with the Vice-Chancellor is scheduled for July 16. The constitution of the centre will be published soon. We seek the co-operation of the university administration, teachers, officers, employees and alumni.”

One of the initiators of the centre and a 2021-22 session student of the Pali Department, Sabbir Hossain Sakin, said, “So far, we have contacted 39 district and upazila students’ associations. The president and general secretary of each association will be included as members of the centre.”

Regarding the advisory council, he said, “Initially, there was a proposal to include the university Registrar, Proctor and Comptroller of Accounts in the advisory council. However, the constitution has not yet been finalized. We also plan to open a bank account jointly managed by student representatives and the university administration to operate the fund.”

A 2021-22 session student of the Philosophy Department, Asif Hossain, said, “Although this is a student-based platform, the university administration will remain involved to ensure transparency and accountability. There will be no single leadership, responsibilities will be shared collectively.”

Representatives from 21 district and upazila students’ associations, along with several student organisations from Chattogram district, attended the press conference.

University Proctor Prof Dr. Hossain Shaid Shohrowardhy said, “A group of students has submitted an application seeking administrative approval after informing us about the proposed centre. We will discuss the matter with the Vice-Chancellor (VC) soon and announce the administration’s decision,
Insha’Allah.”