ZCZC
BSS- 21
DISASTER-PREPAREDNESS-MEET (with picture)
Speakers for all-out preparation at Moheskhali to minimize disaster
aftermath
COX’ BAZAR, Mar 10, 2020 (BSS) – Speakers at a meeting today stressed
taking all-out preparation at Moheskhali island in Cox’s Bazar to cope with
the consequences of growing natural disasters as the island is one of the
most cyclone-prone areas of the country.
They said cyclone hits Moheskhali Island each year forcing a huge number of
people to take shelter at cyclone centres and damaging lives and properties
of local people.
Local office of the Disaster Management Department in association with CARE
Bangladesh arranged the meeting on the premises of Moheskhali Upazila Nirbahi
Officer’s (UNO) office here, marking the National Disaster Preparedness Day.
Chaired by UNO Md Jamilul Islam, the meeting was addressed, among others,
by local MP Ashequllah Rafiq, Moheskhali Upazila Awami League president Anwar
Pasha Chowdhury, director of CARE Bangladesh (Humanitarian and Resilience)
Kaiser Rejve, Moheskhali Upazila vice-chairman Minuwara Syed.
Upazila Project Implementation Officer of the Disaster Management
Department, Moheskhali, Md Rashedul Islam moderated the meeting.
Speaking as the chief guest, Rafiq said the people of Moheskhali Island
have to live by struggling against natural disasters as it is one of the most
disaster-prone upazilas in the country.
Recalling the two devastating cyclones that hit the island in 1967 and
1991, killing many people, he urged the authorities concerned to build more
cyclone shelter centres in the remote areas of the upazila aiming to save
lives of assets of people from natural calamities.
Kaiser Rejve said natural disaster is a common phenomenon at Moheskhali
and that is why proper steps have to be taken in disaster management, taking
lessons from the past natural disasters.
He said community people should take responsibility to maintain cyclone
centres so that vulnerable people can take shelter at those during any
emergency.
BSS/ASG/MRI/ARS/1713 hrs