Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu on Thursday said the government has strengthened the country's disaster preparedness by reinforcing early warning systems, expanding emergency response capacity and shifting from a relief-based approach to comprehensive disaster risk reduction.
Responding to a tabled question from ruling party MP Md Mostafizur Rahman Babul, elected from Jamalpur-3, in parliament, the minister said Bangladesh remains highly vulnerable to cyclones, floods, flash floods, river erosion, lightning, heat waves and landslides due to its geographical location and the growing impacts of climate change.
He said the government has transformed disaster management from a relief-centered approach to an integrated, risk reduction-based system aimed at minimizing the loss of life and property.
The minister said preparedness measures include keeping the Cyclone Preparedness Program (CPP), Fire Service and Civil Defence, law enforcement agencies and volunteers on standby to ensure a rapid response during disasters.
He said the ministry has procured search-and-rescue equipment, kept the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) operational and maintained adequate stocks of gratuitous relief (GR), cash assistance, dry food, corrugated iron sheets and other emergency relief materials.
The government is also implementing anticipatory action initiatives, activating disaster management committees in line with the Disaster Management Act, 2012, and the Standing Orders on Disaster (SOD) 2019, while coordinating preparedness activities with all relevant stakeholders, he said.
"As a result, disaster-related casualties and property damage have been reduced significantly, while the resilience of communities has increased remarkably," Dulu told the House.
Highlighting efforts to strengthen emergency response capacity, the minister said that under Components 2 and 3 of the Disaster Risk Management Enhancement Project, telecommunications equipment, megaphones, sirens, stretchers, life jackets, radio sets and first-aid kits have been supplied to 35 upazilas in 12 coastal districts.
He said the government will also provide one rescue speedboat to each of the country's 12 coastal districts and supply 43 shallow-water rescue boats to five flood-prone districts to strengthen disaster response operations.