BSS-56 BD to become role model in disaster management: Enam

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ZCZC

BSS-56

ENAM-DISASTER-WARNING

BD to become role model in disaster management: Enam

DHAKA, APRIL 23, 2019 (BSS) – State Minister for Disaster Management and
Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman today said contextualized early warning systems
and flood action plans are contributing towards turning Bangladesh into a
role model in dealing with disasters.

The state minister came up with the remark while attending an inception
function of a five-year-long Flood Resilience Project as the chief guest in
the city, said a press release.

Dr Enam also put emphasize on better collaboration between the
government and NGO initiatives to enhance the community flood resilience.

General Economic Division Member of Planning Commission Dr Shamsul Alam
and Director (research) of Department of Disaster Management Md Harun Rashid
Mollah addressed the event as special guests.

Addressing the function, Dr Shamsul underscored the importance of Delta
Plan 2100 focusing on flood early warning systems at a regional scale.

Bangladesh is one of the most flood-prone countries in the world, he
said, adding that floods have significantly attributed to 520,000 deaths in
the last 40 years in the country.

The devastating floods in 1998 and 2004 caused damage of US$2.8 billion
and $2.2 billion respectively or about 5 per cent GDP in those years.

Regarding the flood situation in Bangladesh, Concern Worldwide, Mercy
Corps and Practical Action have initiated a five-year ‘Flood Resilience
Project’ in Bangladesh with support of Zurich Foundation.

The project will work to enhance flood resilience in a number of
communities across the char (sandbar) and coastal flood contexts to generate
new evidence and learning on how community resilience to flooding across
different floods hazard contexts can be improved.

Country Director of Practical Action Hasin Jahan elaborately discussed
the evidences generated towards making the community flood-resilient in the
flood-prone areas of Sirajganj district.

She also explained how contextualized weather information and early
warning can build the resilience.

The Zurich Flood Resilience Alliance is a multi-sectoral partnership
focusing on finding practical ways to help communities in developed and
developing countries strengthen their resilience to flood risk.

The Alliance will reach 72,000 people in Bangladesh to reduce the
negative impacts of flooding on their lives and livelihoods.

This project is going to be implemented with Assistance from Social
Organization and Development (ASOD) and Village Education Resource Centre
(VERC).

Country Director of Concern Worldwide AKM Musha delivered the welcome
speech and while Rumana Binte Masud of Mercy Corps gave the concluding
remarks.

BSS/PR/SAH/RY/20:15 hrs