Preparedness needed for disaster risk reduction

Claudia Amaral speaks at a workshop on 'Disaster risk reduction and lessons learned' at the auditorium of Dhaka Ahsania Mission in the city yesterday. PHOTO: STAR

Speakers at a workshop here yesterday underscored the need of adopting disaster preparedness policy and creating awareness among people to reduce losses caused by natural disasters, says a press release.

Dhaka Ahsania Mission and Concern Universal jointly organised the workshop on 'Disaster risk reduction and lessons learned' at the auditorium of Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM).

DAM Deputy Executive Director M Ehsanur Rahman chaired the workshop while Concern Universal Country Director Stephane Bonduelle gave the welcome address.

Speakers further said that disaster preparedness should be sustained by creating public awareness through their participation. Disaster preparedness is more important than relief distribution, they stressed.

Concern Universal in partnership with Dhaka Ahsania Mission has been implementing the community-based approaches to disaster preparedness (CBADP) project since March 2006 with the support of the European Commission's Humanitarian Aid Department, Third DIPECHO Action Plan for South Asia.

This project is being implemented in 26 unions of six upazilas under the districts of Jamalpur, Narsingdi and Borguna.

Participants shared their experiences gathered from the activities on disaster preparedness in the 241 Gono Kendras (local community centres) and 52 high schools. Documentary film shows of CBADP Project and earthquake were also displayed in the workshop.

Disaster risk reduction concepts and approaches were also presented.

Besides, recommendations were finalised through an open discussion and sharing of experiences. Different government agencies, national and international NGOs, representatives of educational institutions and media professionals participated in the workshop.

DAM Programme Director Shafiqul Islam conducted the entire programme while CBADP Project Manager Claudia Amaral and OXFAM GB DIPECHO Project Manager Tanja Berretta also spoke.