Disaster Management and Relief Adviser Faruk-e-Azam said that Bangladesh is one of the disaster-prone countries in the world due to its geographical location. Due to lack of awareness and knowledge, Bangladesh is constantly facing man-made disasters.
Faruk-e-Azam said these things at a workshop titled ‘Urban Disaster Management: Problems and Remedies’ organized by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief at the Multipurpose Hall of the BIAM Foundation in Dhaka on Tuesday (November 5).
He said that a more important issue than natural or man-made disasters is our poverty. 50 to 80 percent of the population of about 75 upazilas of Bangladesh lives below the poverty line. Poverty-related malnutrition will create a weak nation, the extent of which will be terrible. Therefore, I am working towards that goal by considering poverty as a disaster.
The adviser believes that strong early warning systems, improved building codes and better urban planning are needed to save lives.
He said, the risk will be reduced only if people are aware. The task of making everyone aware is very difficult. This awareness has to start from each of our homes and make it a habit. In addition, we have to create volunteers in every way, without depending on the government.
The adviser said, it is the demand of the hour to create effective models in our own way and keep everyone prepared through training by utilizing the experience of other countries that are experts in earthquake management.
The disaster management advisor said, we have to ensure the use of our own innovations and technology to increase the capacity of all our organizations. This requires sufficient research. I hope the young generation will play a leading role in these areas.
The program was presided over by Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief Md. Kamrul Hasan, and Professor of Civil Engineering Department of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology Dr. Mehedi Ahmed Ansari presented the keynote paper.
The workshop was also attended by - Director General of the Disaster Management Department Rezwanur Rahman, Joint Secretary Md. Ahmedul Haque. In addition, 70 representatives of various universities and organizations and institutions participated.