State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Md Enamur Rahman on Friday said that telecommunication services are very important in dealing with disasters.
"Through this service, we can easily warn the people about natural disasters before they arrive. As a result, the amount of damage during disasters can be reduced," he said, while addressing a seminar titled "Telecommunications Sector During Disasters: Pre and Post Strategies and Actions" at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center at Agargaon in Dhaka, as chief guest.
Enamur said in 1991, nearly two lakh people died in the flood due to the negligence of the BNP government. When Awami League came to power under the leadership of Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, 'Disaster Management Act 2012' and then 'Disaster Management Policy 2015' were made.
"Everything is mentioned about dealing with disasters in the disaster management policy. Besides, the Standing Orders on Disaster or SOD (Revised)-2019 have been enacted," he said, adding that it has been clearly stated in the SOD about the individual responsibility in any disaster.
He further said that it is our responsibility to provide good service to the people and we got the help of telecommunication while providing this service.
Because of the support of the telecommunication sector, it was possible to deal with such a big flood situation in Sylhet and Sunamganj so successfully, Enamur added.
Engineer Riaz Ahmed, Commissioner of BTRC, Dr. Md. Rafiqul Matin, Former Managing Director of BTCL and Brigadier General Iqbal Ahmed, Director of Signal Directorate of Army were present as special guests in the event.
Source: United News of Bangladesh