ZCZC
BSS-31
DISCUSSION-DISASTER
Coordinated response stressed to deal with disasters
DHAKA, Dec 5, 2019 (BSS) – Experts today put an observation that a
coordinated and evidence-based response is an urgent need to address any type
of disasters in the country.
They came up with the observation at a workshop in the capital jointly
arranged by the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) under the Ministry of
Disaster Management and Relief CARE Bangladesh, a CARE press release said.
Participants from different government organisations, UN agencies and
non-government organisations have come together for evaluating the damage
caused by natural disasters and needs assessment initiatives to plan more
effective disaster needs assessment under the umbrella of Needs Assessment
Working Group (NAWG) which is being hosted by CARE Bangladesh under
leadership of the DDM.
Md Anisur Rahman, Director of the Disaster Management Department, was
present at the workshop as the chief guest.
While sharing his experience of dealing with natural calamities, he
said, “Joint efforts of public and non-government organisations have
contributed towards Bangladesh to become a champion in disaster management.”
“I hope the joint needs assessment efforts will continue as per the
newly revised Standing Order on Disaster (SOD) as an important part of the
overall national disaster management,” Rahman added.
Henry Glorieux, Humanitarian Affairs Advisor of United Nations Residence
Coordinator (UNRC) Office in Bangladesh, said: “Today’s event is important to
take stock of the tremendous progress made so far and to further strengthen
humanitarian community determination to continuously improve its tools and
processes, in particular for urban disasters”.
He particularly lauded the quality work undertaken by the members of the
NAWG which helps the humanitarian community to take informed-decisions on
areas where there is a need to complement GoB-led response efforts and to
advocate on issues related to leaving no-one behind and the promotion of
humanitarian-development nexus interventions.
During panel discussion, Deputy Secretary of Disaster Management and
Relief Ministry Abdul Kader highlighted the importance of collaborative
efforts between the government and non-government agencies to strengthen the
effectiveness of Joint Needs Assessment.
Panelist Dilruba Haider, Programme Specialist of UN Women, emphasised
the need for having more female analysts and assessors on the field for
effective and inclusive needs assessment.
BSS/PR/MRI/RY/1815 hrs