Emphasis on comprehensive preparedness to reduce disaster risk
Comprehensive early preparedness, along with awareness-raising at the community level and efficient emergency response management systems, can reduce the loss of human lives and property during natural disasters.
The observation came at a post-rally discussion jointly organized by the district administration at the Deputy Commissioner's conference room, marking International Day for Disaster Reduction 2025.
Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Rabiul Faisal attended the discussion as the chief guest, with Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Md Ramij Alam in the chair. Superintendent of Police Md Ferdous Ali Chowdhury attended as special guest.
Mohammad Rabiul Faisal emphasized educating the youth about early preparedness and innovating new technologies and tools to introduce comprehensive post-disaster management at the community level to reduce loss of life.
He said Bangladesh has achieved remarkable success in disaster management and called for disseminating information and knowledge among the public to ensure all-out preparations to reduce natural disaster risks.
District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Md Golam Kibria, Deputy Assistant Director of Rangpur Fire Service and Civil Defense Station Badsha Masud Alam, Sadar Upazila Project Implementation Officer Md Monimul Haque, NGO executives, and civil society members also spoke on the occasion.
Badsha Masud Alam discussed different types of natural disasters, statistics of damages caused by major disasters in the country and worldwide in recent decades, and forwarded suggestions to reduce disaster risks in both urban and rural areas.
"The government has taken inclusive steps to reduce disaster risks through disseminating information and warnings and ensuring early preparedness, training, and emergency response management systems," he said.
Other speakers expressed concern over frequent incidents of natural disasters such as earthquakes, tornadoes, cyclones, tidal surges, droughts, floods, and river and coastal erosion caused by adverse impacts of climate change. They called for raising awareness among people to mitigate these challenges.
Earlier, a rally circled the main roads of the city and ended in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office.
Personnel of Rangpur Fire Service and Civil Defense Station, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society volunteers, and scouts later demonstrated mock drills on post-earthquake management and fire fighting.