DHAKA, March 9, 2024 (BSS) - The National Disaster Preparedness Day-2024 will be observed in Dhaka and elsewhere across the country tomorrow amid different awareness programmes.

 
The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief will organise various programmes with the theme 'Durjog Prostuti te Lorbo, Smart Sonar Bangla Gorbo'.
 
On the occasion, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages, with a call to establish a disaster-tolerant country by increasing the use of modern technologies.

The President, in his message, said Bangladesh is a disaster-prone country mainly due to its geographical location.

He said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had taken pragmatic steps after the country's independence to face disasters and following his path, the present government has been implementing various sustainable programmes as part of its disaster preparedness.
 
Bangladesh's disaster warning system, effective policies and all institutional structures, warning centers rich in advanced technology and skilled human resources, well-trained volunteers in the service of humanity, sufficient number of shelters are internationally appreciated and followed, he said.

The government has issued automatic directives through necessary orders on disaster risk management with responsibility of all in the pre-disaster, disaster and post-disaster period.

Such orders are playing an important role in the implementation of recovery and rehabilitation activities including emergency response, the head of the state added.

Besides, Disaster Management Committees and Disaster Management Response Coordination Group from National to Ward level have undertaken necessary preparedness and response related activities which are contributing to reducing loss of life and property, the president said.

In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had established Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP) to reduce disaster risks and protect the life and property of the people from cyclones. The greatest Bangalee of all-time also had constructed 172 'Killas', known as 'Mujib Killas', she added.
 
She said the incumbent government has been able to bring down disaster-related death to a single digit by using modern technology and taking timely preparation.

'Mijib Killas' has been expanded and modernized to make those as safe shelters for people and livestock, she added.

Being trained in modern training, men and women (volunteers) are working shoulder to shoulder in reducing disaster risks, she said, adding that the government has ensured women's empowerment in the CPP.

As a result, sustainable development goals have been achieved in disaster risk reduction management, she said, adding that therefore, the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief has bagged the honorary United Nations Public Service Award-2021 in the Gender Responsive category.

Bangladesh has met cent percent conditions of the 'Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction', she said, adding that it is being widely appreciated globally.

The Prime Minister said the government has formulated the 'Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100' attaching priority to reducing losses of disasters and climate change impacts.
 
"We will be able to build a disaster-tolerant, hungry and poverty-free developed Bangladesh by 2041 through achieving Sustainable Development Goals by 2030," she added.