Today is International Disaster Mitigation Day
By Amila Khan
Today, 13th October, like other countries globally, International Disaster Mitigation Day is celebrating in Bangladesh, under the slogan ‘Good Governance in Disaster Risk Reduction, Ensuring Sustainable Development.’
The day’s program started at 10 am at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina joined the program through a video conference from Ganobhaban.
Guests, including the Minister of State for Disaster Management and Relief Dr. Enamur Rahman, was present in this. Joining the function, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated 16,005 houses for homeless people and a 17,000-member women volunteer unit.
On the occasion of the day, the President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have given separate statements. On the occasion of the day, the President said Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had given separate statements.
In the message, the President said, “I am glad to know that ‘International Disaster Mitigation Day-2020’ is being celebrated in Bangladesh as in other countries of the world at the initiative of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief.”
The theme of the day has become very significant and timely in the current context. He said the basis of good governance is to meet people’s needs with honesty and efficiency.
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the first to introduce a people-friendly disaster risk reduction program by involving the people in protecting life and property.
In her message, Sheikh Hasina said, “In order to make our efforts to establish a developed Bangladesh by 2041 successful, everyone needs to be aware of disaster management.” She said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is a pioneer in formulating disaster risk reduction programs.
He was the first to build ‘Mujib Killa’ in independent Bangladesh to protect people’s lives and property from natural calamities like cyclones, floods, and tidal surges.
The Prime Minister said it has been possible to minimize life and property loss due to natural calamities due to ensuring preparedness. Disaster management has been included with particular emphasis in the 100-year long-term plan ‘Delta Plan-2100’, which has been prepared, keeping in view the geography, resources, and potential of Bangladesh. The government is working to improve the living standards of the country’s people by making them development partners.
Disaster-tolerant houses are being built for every homeless person. A total of 5785 km of Herringbone Bond Roads, 26,331 bridges, and culverts have recently been constructed for the sustainable construction of rural infrastructure to reach rural-urban facilities.
Besides, 230 flood shelters and 320 cyclone shelters have been built to reduce disaster risk. Establishment of 423 flood shelters, 66 District Relief Warehouses, and Disaster Management Information Centers in 64 districts and construction, renovation, and development of 550 Mujib Killas are underway. She said that special programs had been launched for the victims of river erosion. 100 crore has been allocated for this.
