The International Day for Disaster Reduction will be observed across the country tomorrow (Thursday), with this year's theme set as ‘Early Warning and Early Action for All’.

State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman disclosed this at a press conference at the secretariat in the capital on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will virtually address a function organised to mark the day at Osmani Memorial Auditorium as chief guest. 

With the aim to increase awareness among people and the authorities concerned about reduction of risk of disaster, the International Day for Disaster Reduction has been observed across the world as well as Bangladesh on October 13 since 1989, the junior minister said.

Read: Super cyclone ‘Sitrang’ unlikely to hit Bangladesh coast: State Minister

He informed that the government built 94,338 disaster-tolerant houses and construction of a further 44,909 such houses are underway as part of infrastructural development in disaster-risk management scheme.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave separate statements marking the day on Wednesday.

The president said Bangladesh is now considered a capable country in disaster reduction by the world at large, due to measures taken by the government.

He wished for the success of all the programmes taken marking the day.

Sheikh Hasina said the loss of lives and properties from natural disasters in Bangladesh came down to single digits due to several effective measures taken by her government.

Besides, Bangladesh is now a role model to the world in disaster management, the premier said.