SANGSAD BHABAN, Feb 27, 2019 (BSS) – The government will set up the National
Emergency Operation Centre (NPOC) to give immediate response to and carry out
rescue operation during devastating natural disasters, including earthquake.
“An initiative has already been taken to build the National Emergency
Operation Centre (NPOC) aiming to give response to and conduct rescue drives
in a coordinated way during devastating disasters like earthquake” State
Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman said today
while responding to a written question placed by lawmaker Md Israfil Alam
(Noagaon-6) in the House with Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the
chair.
He said the trained volunteers of different organisations, including
Bangladesh Scouts, the Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP), the Fire Service
and Civil Defense, Girls Guide, Bangladesh National Cadet Corps and Red-
Crescent Society are always ready to respond any natural disaster.
To address earthquake or other natural calamities in the country, Enamur said,
the government procured equipment of Taka 236 crore to conduct rescue
operation after any natural disaster and the equipment were handed over to the
Fire Service and Civil Defense and the armed forces.
Upon signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with China, the Disaster
Management and Relief Ministry received equipment of about Taka 100 crore,
which were supplied to the Fire Service and Civil Defense, he said.
About the country’s preparedness to deal with any possible earthquake that can
hit the country at any moment, the state minister said the government has
already prepared a contingency plan of different vulnerable areas to
earthquake, including Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet.
He said the government also signed the SAARC Agreement on Rapid Response to
Natural Disasters to get assistance from the SAARC countries if any mega
disaster takes place here.