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বাংলা
Dhaka Tribune

Speakers stress urgent need to boost early warning systems amid rising climate threats

Shifting climate patterns have altered how and where disasters strike, making early preparedness more critical than ever

Update : 14 May 2025, 09:30 PM

Speakers at a recent event emphasized the urgent need to strengthen early warning systems in Bangladesh, citing the growing impact of climate change on the frequency, timing, and location of natural disasters.

Bangladesh is a disaster-prone country, with coastal regions frequently affected by floods, cyclones, tidal waves, and other hazards. However, shifting climate patterns have altered how and where these disasters strike, making early preparedness more critical than ever.

These concerns were raised at the event titled “Challenges to Opportunities: Understanding Economic Patterns and Early Warning Systems to Strengthen Disaster Risk Financing,” held on Wednesday in Dhaka.

The event moved beyond the presentation of data and fostered meaningful discussions on turning research insights into collaborative, community-led action.

A highlight of the event was the launch of two major publications: “Early Warning Systems for Cyclone and Flood Risks in Bangladesh: A Country Overview," and “Household Economy Analysis (HEA): A Baseline for Cyclone Contingency Planning in the Coastal Region of Bangladesh.”

Humanitarian leaders, government officials, and technical experts explored how the findings from these studies can support more timely and locally informed responses.

The discussions also underscored alignment with Bangladesh’s national roadmap under the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative.

The studies evaluated the current state of Bangladesh’s early warning systems for floods and tropical cyclones within the broader framework of the EW4All initiative.

Led globally by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the initiative aims to ensure universal access to life-saving early warnings by 2027.

EW4All is a global partnership focused on improving early warning systems for hazards such as floods, storms, heatwaves, and tsunamis.

Bangladesh’s national roadmap for EW4All is being developed with input from various national agencies and lays the foundation for coordinated expansion of early warning capacities.

Rezwanur Rahman, director general of the Department of Disaster Management and chief guest at the event, said: “This research is not only vital for advancing early action but also inclusive of the realities faced by diverse economic groups.”

He further remarked: “Disasters often displace large numbers of people. By strengthening early warning systems and understanding the economic impacts, we can help reduce the burden on the most vulnerable communities—especially those living in poverty.”

Reflecting on the broader implications of the studies, Anna Farina, head of crisis anticipation and risk financing (CARF), added: “Effective coordination among stakeholders is essential to ensure timely, inclusive, and impactful responses to emerging threats.”

Special guests at the event included Netai Chandra Dey Sarker, director MIM, Department of Disaster Management, Md Momenul Islam, director, Bangladesh Meteorological Department and Ahmadul Haque, additional secretary and director (Admin), Cyclone Preparedness Programme.

The event also welcomed representatives from the global Start Network.

Start Bangladesh, supported by the Start Network, is a coalition of humanitarian NGOs and civil society actors.

The network began in 2017 with the launch of Start Fund Bangladesh (SFB)—a rapid-response fund designed to disburse aid within 72 hours of a crisis alert.

Today, the Start Network consists of 40 local, national, and international NGOs working across Bangladesh. 

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