In the southeastern part of Bangladesh, landslides have become a common phenomenon.
Every year, several landslides happen in the hilly terrains of the country, especially during the monsoon.
Last year, a landslide took the lives of several people, put thousands of families at risk, and disrupt road connectivities in Khagrachari, Bandarban and other areas of the southeastern parts of the country.
To address the issue, a workshop titled Anticipatory Action for Landslides Causing Displacement for Communities in Chittagong and Bandarban District was organized by Save the Children in Bangladesh.
The workshop took place in a hotel in Dhaka on Thursday.
Additional secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR) KM Abdul Wadud said: “It is important that data derived from research and during project implementations are well preserved and presented before the policymakers.”
He stressed the lack of proper data affecting the sustainability of the related projects.
He said a mechanism can be done where the unspent funds from several projects will be utilized for disaster management.
Joint Secretary of MoDMR, Anjon Chandra Paul said: “Anticipatory action is most effective when integrated into the local administrations, so everyone’s efforts are streamlined.”
“We need to build these collaborations to bring forth the best results. And you must go into the community to embed the most effective early action,” he added.
Director (MIM) of MoDMR, Netai Chandra Dey Sarker, said: "It is crucial to prioritize the creation of a landslide inventory and establish effective channels for early warning dissemination. Utilizing the common gateway of DDM for voice message dissemination, there is a significant opportunity to integrate IVR systems for impact-based forecasting within this project.”
The workshop aims to launch a project to enhance coordination on anticipatory action for landslides, share evidence-based insights, promote dialogue on integrating anticipatory action into disaster management frameworks, and develop a strategic roadmap for scaling and institutionalizing early warning systems and anticipatory action practices.
