With the tropical cyclone Mahasen due to hit the southern coast of Bangladesh in mere days, our Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP) is about to face its big test. The expectation is that the National Plan for Disaster devised by our ruling government and the Disaster Management and Relief Division will be carried out in a manner that results in fewer lives lost and minimal damage to homes, land and livelihoods.
In that regard, the National Plan for Disaster Management 2010-2015 was designed to strengthen the disaster management system in place at the time by improving response and recovery management at all levels, and reducing the vulnerability of the poor to the aftermath of such natural disasters, among other disaster reduction measures.
With the cyclone signalling system being improved, modern and sophisticated search and rescue equipment being available, cyclone centres in place, as well as disaster management workshops having been held to ensure everyone is well-versed in what to do during such a disaster, we hope that the detrimental effects that Mahasen would have had on the nation can be minimised.
To ensure this is the case, all parties, whether at the national or district level, in the private sector, in NGOs, etc must work together and make the best use of all available resources and trained personnel. Anything less would be unacceptable.
Our nation has ample experience with cyclones and storm surges before, with the likes of Sidr in 2007 and Aila in 2009, in most recent memory, and many others beforehand. The aftermath of these cyclones have shown us that a solid disaster preparation plan is a necessity. It is not something we can take lightly.
