Dhaka: Disaster Management and Relief Adviser Farooq-e Azam announced that his ministry has returned Taka 2162 crore to the government treasury from the allocation designated for the government’s TR and KABIKHA programmes for the fiscal year 2024-25. “We took oath on August 8, 2024, and assumed responsibility for the ministry. After discussions with project officers nationwide regarding the TR (Rural Infrastructure Maintenance Program) and KABIKHA (Rural Infrastructure Reform Program), I discovered that the funds were returned to the government,” he stated.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), the adviser highlighted in an exclusive interview at his ministry’s office that the reduction in special allocations for TR and KABIKHA has minimized corruption, waste, and regional inequality. He explained that the previous centralized system of providing corrugated iron sheets and blankets from Dhaka has been decentralized, reducing costs and speeding up distribution.
The procurement of essential items such as corrugated iron sheets, dry food, and blankets is now decentralized, which has cut down storage and transportation expenses, accelerated distribution, and allowed for immediate delivery. Azam emphasized that political influence, nepotism, and duality in beneficiary selection have been avoided, with a new beneficiary list replacing the old one.
The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief is committed to reducing the adverse effects of natural, climate change-related, and man-made disasters to a manageable level for vulnerable populations. The ministry aims to mitigate disaster risk for marginalized groups and establish an efficient emergency response system by enhancing disaster management capabilities.
Farooq-e Azam mentioned key departments under the ministry, including the Directorate of Disaster Management, Cyclone Preparedness Program (CPP), and the Office of the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC). Project implementation officers at the upazila level are now required to submit reports to avoid issues in future project implementation.
The ministry has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Institute of Disaster Management and Vulnerability Studies at Dhaka University, facilitating internships for students. Trained personnel from various forces, including the Fire Service, Ansar, and BGB, are being mobilized to form special disaster response teams.
Due to early warning systems, damage from cyclones, floods, and tidal waves has been significantly reduced. The “Project for Search, Rescue Operations and Procurement of Equipment for Emergency Communication during Earthquakes and Other Disasters” has provided 11 aerial platform ladders worth Taka 176 crore to the Fire Service and Civil Defense Department.
Additionally, 13 types of items worth Taka 61.5 crore have been supplied to 80,000 trained volunteers under the CPP to aid in cyclone rescue operations in coastal areas. To ensure transparency and proper monitoring, the TPP of the software development project titled ‘Development of Integrated Disaster Management System’ has been submitted to the Planning Commission.
The “Construction of Flood Shelters in Flood-Prone and River Erosion Areas (Phase 3)” project is underway, with 74 shelters being constructed this fiscal year (2025-26) and 63 shelters slated for completion in the 2026-27 fiscal year. Furthermore, 1,100 bridge construction activities are progressing under the “Construction of Bridges or Culverts up to 15 meters in length on Rural Roads” project, alongside the construction of 143 disaster shelters under the “Construction, Renovation and Development of Disaster Shelters” project.