ZCZC
BSS-22
ENVIRONMENT-SEMINAR
Statistics Division Secretary for building capacity to face disasters
DHAKA, Dec 21, 2020 (BSS) – Secretary of Statistics and Informatics
Division (SID) Mohammad Yamin Chowdhury today urged the authorities
concerned to build necessary capacity to deal with all types of
disasters in the country.
“Bangladesh is a role model in the world for disaster management.
Women and children have been found to be more vulnerable than men
during the disasters. Data in this regard needs to be figured out. For
this, we’ve taken initiative,” he said.
Yamin stated this while speaking as chief guest at a seminar on
“Integrating Gender and Social Inclusion in Environment, Climate
Change and Disaster-related Statistics: Methodological guidelines and
protocol for data producers and users” organized by the Bangladesh
Bureau of Statistics (BBS) in cooperation with UN Women and EMPOWER at
the BBS auditorium here today.
He said natural disasters are increasing day by day with increasing
destructive power. “For this, economic activities and infrastructures
are also being damaged. But, now we’re showing our capabilities in
adaptation. We’re dealing with many big natural disasters,”
Renowned Environmentalist and Executive Director of Bangladesh
Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS) Dr. A. Atiq Rahman attended the
seminar as special guest.
Atiq said Bangladesh has always been dealing with disasters like
floods, droughts, river erosion and cyclones, even there is flood five
times a year.
He said, “Now we’re in the midst of two global disasters — one is
COVID-19 and the other is climate change. Bangladesh is moving ahead
dealing with all disasters,”
As a result, he said, the socio-economic conditions and food
security are also being affected. “But, Bangladesh is still far ahead
in adaptation.” he added.
The eminent environment expert also noted the biggest problem in
the world is climate injustice as greenhouse gas emission has risen
sharply since the industrial revolution.
“And this is causing various adverse impacts on the environment.
Although the developed countries are mainly responsible for it, but
developing countries like us are suffering the most. ”
Mentioning that there have been four major floods in Bangladesh
this year, he said, the government needs to collect these disaster
related data and thus work on it to deal with the possible disasters.
Dilruba Haider, Representative, Bangladesh Country Office, UN Women
addressed the seminar as guest of honour with Director General of BBS
Mohammad Tajul Islam in the chair.
Concerned officials of BBS were present, among others, at the seminar.
BSS/ASG/TIT/GM/MRU/1817hrs