Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said Bangladesh is now a model country in the world in disaster management as it has been able to ease disaster risks remarkably.

“Today, Bangladesh is appreciated for effective disaster management for the initiatives we’ve taken following the footsteps of the Father of Nation,” she said while addressing a virtual programme from her official residence Ganobhaban.

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The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief arranged the programme marking the 50 years of Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP) and International Day for Disaster Reduction 2021.

The audience was connected from the Osmani Smriti Auditorium in the capital and Muktijudda Field in Cox’s Bazar.

Sheikh Hasina asked all concerned to remain conscious and take proper measures so that the honour Bangladesh has achieved as an ‘ideal country’ over disaster management is not harmed in any way.

Since Bangladesh is a delta nation, she said, the AL government formulated Delta Plan 2100 and started implementing 80 projects according to the plan. 

Hasina stressed the need for checking river erosion and enhancing water reservoir capacity to face floods.

Noting that flood is common in Bangladesh but it is also a blessing as it provides silts and thus increases land fertility, she said, “We’ll have to control floods or to be habituated to live with floods. So, we need to undertake development projects to prevent the loss of lives and property, and have water reservoirs in every area.

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The Prime Minister said it is essential to take measures to enhance the water holding capacity during the flooding and use the water in irrigation for crop production.

She said her government has already taken plans to dredge some 510-km rivers by 2022. Besides, it is implementing various projects to construct water reservoirs, excavate of 4886-km canals, construct and repair flood-control dams as part of disaster preparedness.

In disaster reduction, she said, the AL government constructed 230 flood shelter centres and 320 cyclone shelter centres across the country. And the construction of more 423 flood shelter centres and 230 cyclone shelter centres is underway, she added.

Presided over by State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman, the function was also attended by Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief AB Tajul Islam.

PM’s Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus conducted the event from Ganobhaban and Disaster Management and Relief Secretary Md Mohsin delivered the welcome speech.

Bangladesh is observing the International Day for Disaster Reduction 2021 with the theme of “Working together to Reduce Disaster Risk” (Jurjog Juki Rashe Kaz Kori Eksathe).

The Prime Minister inaugurated four new units of CPP – Druto Saradan Unit (Quick Response Unit), Pani Theke Uddar Kora Unit (Rescue from Water Unit), Oti Joar Monitoring O Saradan Unit (High Tide Monitoring and Response Unit) and Khelay Khelay Durjog Prostoti Unit (Raising awareness over disaster preparedness with funs among school and college students Unit).

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Hasina also unveiled the cover of a book named “Durjog Sohonshil Bangladesh Binirmane Sheikh Hasina” (Sheikh Hasina in building disaster-resilient Bangladesh) that focused on Sheikh Hasina’s glorious contribution to disaster management. 

A documentary titled “50 Years of Disaster Management: Bangabandhu to Sheikh Hasina” was screened highlighting the role of Bangabandhu and Sheikh Hasina.

At the event, three volunteer organisers, six volunteers --three men and three women-- were awarded with lifetime honour for their outstanding role in disaster management.