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BSS- 46
DISASTER-MANAGEMENT
Experts for robust recovery strategy in disaster management
DHAKA, Dec 4, 2019 (BSS) – Effective disaster recovery planning requires
collaborative efforts from public and private sectors, development partners,
academics and other stakeholders concerned, experts told a workshop here.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the
Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief organised the workshop on Disaster
Recovery Planning at a city hotel yesterday to explore challenges and gaps in
the recovery mechanism through discussion among stakeholders, a UNDP press
release said today.
In his inauguration remarks, UNDP Bangladesh Assistant Resident
Representative Khurshid Alam said, “On an average, we have 2.2 percent
economic loss in GDP annually due to natural disaster.”
“We need to innovate and find smart solutions for recovery which requires
a strong private-public partnership. Poor recovery increases poverty, slowing
down the process of achieving Sustainable Development Goals,” he said,
“Redefining disaster recovery to truly ‘build back better’ is essential to
reach the SDGs by 2030.”
Citing the examples of disaster risk reduction and management from around
the world, keynote speaker Dr ASM Maksud Kamal, dean of the Faculty of Earth
and Environmental Sciences at Dhaka University stressed proper recovery and
rehabilitation after a disaster.
“We must address the emotional trauma caused by natural disasters, and
focus on rehabilitation at local and national levels. We have to assess the
damage at macro levels, and formulate recovery plans accordingly,” he said.
Reiterating Bangladesh’s role model status in disaster management, State
Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman said: “We
still need better preparedness across every district, at every level. The
role and engagement of the private sector is essential for this.
Collaborative efforts between public and private sectors along with
development partners are needed throughout the way.”
Md Shah Kamal, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and
Relief, emphasised the need for research and collaboration to effectively
mitigate natural disasters. “When formulating plans, we must consider the
needs of everyone to ensure that no one is left behind,” he said.
Akram Hossain, Additional Secretary of the ministry; Shakeb Nabi, Country
Representative, ICCO; Nayeem Wahra, Disaster Management Expert; Naoki
Matsumura, Country Programme Coordinator (Disaster Risk Reduction), JICA;
Umme Kulsum Navera, Professor of Water Resources Engineering, BUET; Dr
Khursid Alam, Executive Director, CODEC; Shah I Mobin Jinnah, Executive
Director, Community Development Association, and Francis Atul Sarker,
Executive Director, Caritas, also spoke at the event.
BSS/PR/MRI/ARS/1946 hrs