Dhaka: Partners of the Bangladesh Preparedness Partnership (BPP) at a bi-monthly coordination meeting have expressed their keenness to work collaboratively to build a stronger, safer Bangladesh through disaster management and response. The meeting was held today at a city hotel hosted by the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), said a press release here. Representatives from the government, private sector, NGOs, and academia attended the meeting.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the meeting was chaired by AKM Abdul Wadud, additional secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR) and Chair of the BPP Mobilization Desk. Key figures at the meeting included Secretary General of FBCCI Md Alamgir, Co-founder of IDMVS Professor Mahbuba Nasreen, and Adviser to FBCCI Safety Council Brigadier General Abu Nayeem Md Shahidullah. Shivani Gupta, senior project management specialist of ADPC Hq (Bangkok), joined the meeting virtually.
Abdul Wadud emphasized the need to revitalize the Disaster Management Fund (DMF) and fully mobilize the country’s eight million volunteers, advocating for a national platform to coordinate grassroots resilience efforts. He also stressed the integration of monitoring and early action into the National Plan for Disaster Management (NPDM) implementation roadmap.
FBCCI Secretary General Md Alamgir highlighted the importance of coordinated efforts by the government, non-governmental organisations, academia, private sector, and international partners in disaster management and preparedness. He stated, “We are collectively working together to increase the country’s disaster resilience.” Md Alamgir also remarked on the significant role of the private sector in disaster management, noting initiatives through the FBCCI Safety Council to reduce disaster risk and enhance emergency preparedness.
Academic partners, including the Institute of Disaster Management and Vulnerability Studies (IDMVS) and BRAC University, presented baseline study findings and updates on the Response Capacity Index (RCI). Contributions from civil society were showcased by NAHAB, highlighting inclusive disaster management efforts. Senior Program Manager of ADPC Dr. Mohammad Ahsan Ullah provided a summary of activities during the reporting period and outlined upcoming key events.