United News of Bangladesh

The Trump administration has temporarily halted immigration applications, including green card requests, for individuals from 19 countries previously targeted by travel restrictions. The move follows recent policy changes prompted by the shooting of two National Guard troops. According to a policy memo posted Tuesday by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the pause affects decisions such as green card approvals and naturalizations for people from countries deemed high-risk. USCIS Director Joseph Edlow will determine when the suspension ends. Migrants brace for uncertainty under Trump’s new immigration restrictions Earlier this year, the administration banned travel from 12 countries and restricted access for seven more, citing security concerns. While earlier restrictions did not affect immigrants already in the U.S., the new directive subjects them to additional review, including potential interviews and referrals to law enforcement. USCIS plans to prioritize cases for review within 90 days, reflecting heightened scrutiny following the Thanksgiving week attack near the White House by an Afghan national. Critics argue the policy penalizes immigrants collectively. Source: AP 

A mild earthquake was felt in parts of Bangladesh including Chattogram early Tuesday (December 02). The tremor measuring 4.9 on the Richter scale was recorded at 12:55am, said meteorologist Shahnaj Sultana of Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). Read more: Ceiling And Wall Cracks After An Earthquake: When To Worry The epicentre was in Mingin of Myanmar 431 km southeast of BMD Seismic Centre in Agargaon, she said.

Governments attending upcoming regional summits in Malaysia should reject the Myanmar military junta’s plans to hold “elections” in December 2025, Human Rights Watch said in a letter to all countries sending delegates. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and ASEAN partner Summits will take place in Kuala Lumpur on October 26-28, with the Myanmar crisis on the agenda. The Myanmar junta has continued its repression of pro-democracy forces, carrying out arbitrary arrests, torture, and abusive conscription, and increased military attacks on civilians, said the New York-based rights body. The junta has intensified its crackdown ahead of the planned elections, which the authorities scheduled to begin December 28. ASEAN members and partner countries should strengthen efforts to address Myanmar’s human rights and humanitarian crisis and the plight of millions of its people displaced since the February 2021 military coup. “Myanmar’s junta has demonstrated neither the intention nor the capacity to organize and hold elections that would even remotely meet international standards,” said John Sifton, Asia advocacy director at Human Rights Watch. “The junta’s repression and unlawful attacks have created a climate of fear in which no genuine polls can take place, let alone voting that will be free and fair.” HRW raises concerns over legislative actions by Bangladesh’s interim govt The military’s widespread atrocities in recent years have included crimes against humanity and war crimes, arbitrary detention of opposition politicians, and the dissolution and criminalization of opposition political parties. On July 30, the junta issued a draconian law that criminalizes criticism of the election by prohibiting speaking, organizing, or protesting that “disrupt[s] any part of the electoral process.” Since large parts of Myanmar are not under military control but instead held by opposition armed groups, the junta would not be able to hold polls in most of the country’s townships. Senior United Nations officials, international election monitoring groups and several foreign governments have issued warnings about the planned elections. The UN secretary-general’s special envoy for Myanmar, Julie Bishop, said that, “There is a significant risk that the election planned for December, under current circumstances, will increase resistance, protest, and violence and further undermine the fragile state of the country.” Several former ASEAN foreign ministers issued a joint statement on October 11 calling on ASEAN to “unequivocally reject” the planned “sham election” and initiate a “complete strategic reset on Myanmar.” HRW raises concerns over legislative actions by Bangladesh’s interim govt “ASEAN and ASEAN partners should categorically reject the idea that free and fair elections can currently be held in Myanmar, and refuse to support the elections in any way,” Sifton said. “Other governments should also signal that if elections are held, any supposed results will not be considered credible.”

Chief Adviser’s High Representative Dr Khalilur Rahman on Tuesday said the repatriation of Rohingyas from Bangladesh is unlikely to proceed unless the ongoing conflicts in Myanmar's Rakhine (Arakan) state are resolved. “They (Rohingyas) are not leaving tomorrow. A repatriation process requires careful preparation — ensuring safety, livelihood opportunities and a stable environment. This is not unique to the Rohingya situation; it is fundamental to all repatriation processes,” he told a press briefing held at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital. Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, Deputy Press Secretary Apurba Jahangir and Assistant Press Secretary Nayem Ali were present. Dr Khalilur Rahman said Bangladesh's interim government is actively working towards that end in coordination with relevant international and regional actors. He also elaborated key developments from the sixth Bimstec summit held in Bangkok from April 3 to 4, saying that the conference highlighted regional cooperation, including discussions on the long-standing Rohingya crisis. “During the summit, I met U Than Swe, Myanmar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. We have made significant progress regarding repatriation,” said Dr Rahman, adding, “Between 2018 and 2020, we submitted a list of 800,000 Rohingyas in six phases. Myanmar has reviewed 250,000 of these names and identified 180,000 people who they confirm arrived from Myanmar. However, there are some discrepancies regarding the remaining 70,000, which both sides are working to resolve.” Myanmar has also committed to accelerating the verification process for the remaining 550,000 Rohingyas. Hasina’s extradition issue raised but nothing finalised: Foreign Adviser He said Bangladesh is maintaining contact with all relevant stakeholders, including the Myanmar authorities, the Arakan Army, the United Nations, and friendly nations. “Under the 2018 bilateral agreement between Bangladesh and Myanmar, verification has been ongoing. While Rakhine is a sovereign region of Myanmar, we have also engaged in dialogue with the Arakan Army, which publicly affirmed in September that repatriating the Rohingya is a key position for them. They reiterated this stance unequivocally during our discussions.” Dr Rahman emphasised, “We believe arrangements can be made to return these 180,000 individuals. While this won’t happen overnight, we are striving to expedite the process with all stakeholders involved.” Dr Khalil also relayed the Chief Adviser’s goal that Rohingya refugees may be able to celebrate the next Eid in their homeland. Referring to concerns about instability in Rakhine, where 80 percent of the territory is under the control of the Arakan Army, Dr Khalil acknowledged that conflict may delay the repatriation. He, however, highlighted substantial progress over the past three months. “This issue had been losing global attention, but thanks to efforts by the UN Secretary-General and the Chief Adviser, it has been brought back to the forefront. A dedicated international conference on the Rohingya crisis has also been secured at the UN.” On March 15, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and UN Secretary-General António Guterres visited refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar and shared iftar with around 100,000 Rohingya refugees. Home adviser sees no specific security threat centering Pahela Baishakh During this visit, the UN Secretary-General reiterated that repatriation is the only viable solution to the crisis — a view echoed in a joint statement with China during a recent diplomatic visit. “This is the first time we have an agreed number,” said Dr Khalil, referring to the 180,000 verified individuals. “It gives us a foundation to move forward.” He underscored the necessity of ensuring an “enabling environment” for returnees. “You cannot push a community back into a fire. Safety and means of livelihood must be guaranteed. We cannot do this alone — all parties must collaborate.” Regarding Bangladesh’s role in promoting peace in Arakan, Dr Khalil said, “We are working with international organisations and various nations to address the humanitarian crisis and restore stability in the region. For any meaningful progress, a ceasefire between the warring parties is crucial.” He added, “Our discussions indicate that during humanitarian operations led by the UN, both sides are likely to observe a cessation of hostilities. We are hopeful that this will create the conditions needed for repatriation discussions to become more practical.” Responding to questions about the proposed humanitarian corridor mentioned by the UN Secretary-General, Dr Khalil said, “He used the term 'channel' rather than 'corridor' due to the legal implications. Bangladesh remains the only viable conduit for delivering aid, given that Rakhine’s coast remains under Tatmadaw control, making other access points infeasible.” Highlighting the broader humanitarian dimension, Dr Khalil said, “This is not just about the Rohingya. Many in the Rakhine community are suffering — from food shortages to lack of medical aid. Both communities have borne heavy losses in this conflict. Supporting them is not only our responsibility but that of the entire international community.” Describing Bangladesh’s evolving approach over the past eight years, he said, “The repatriation issue must be seen as an integrated process. Ensuring peace in Arakan and Rohingya repatriation are inherently linked. No one can be pushed back into a warzone. We are committed to voluntary repatriation, and the willingness to return is evident. The only hurdle is ensuring a safe and stable environment.” “This is a multidimensional challenge. Many elements were previously absent, but now the dimensions are coming together. And we are not alone in this effort,” he added.

The ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) on Wednesday strongly condemned the decision to invite the "illegitimate" Myanmar military junta to participate in the upcoming Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) meeting in Bangkok on April 3-4. APHR called on BIMSTEC member states, particularly Thailand and India, to reject the junta’s participation and take decisive action in support of democracy and human rights. If BIMSTEC seeks to be a credible regional actor, it must prove that it stands for justice, not complicity, APHR said in a statement from Jakarta. “Engaging the Myanmar junta without demanding concrete commitments to human rights and democracy is a betrayal of the people of Myanmar and a stain on BIMSTEC’s reputation,” said Arlene Brosas, APHR Board Member and Member of the House of Representatives of the Philippines. As one of the founding countries of BIMSTEC and the host of its 6th Summit, Thailand must take a principled stand and reject the junta’s participation. Dr Yunus' remarks on Northeast India made with good intentions: High Representative Allowing the military regime a seat at the table not only legitimizes its brutal rule but also undermines BIMSTEC’s credibility as a regional organization committed to peace, stability, and development, it said in a statement. Since its illegal coup on 1 February 2021, Myanmar’s military has committed grave human rights violations, including the killing of thousands of civilians, arbitrary arrests of opposition figures and activists, and the dismantling of democratic institutions. Most recently, military forces bombed affected regions, including Sagaing, just hours after a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. The junta has systematically blocked aid and refused international rescue assistance, repeating its callous response to past disasters like Cyclone Nargis. “The Myanmar military has shown complete disregard for human rights, humanitarian principles, and the rule of law. By engaging with the junta, BIMSTEC is not promoting diplomacy—it is endorsing oppression,” said Mercy Chriesty Barends, APHR Chairperson and Member of the House of Representatives of Indonesia. Unlike ASEAN, which has at least attempted to address the Myanmar crisis through its Five-Point Consensus, BIMSTEC has remained largely silent. Its failure to take action raises serious concerns about the bloc’s commitment to democratic governance and human rights. BIMSTEC Sidelines: Yunus, Modi first-ever in-person meeting set for April 4 “The people of Myanmar continue to resist military oppression at great personal cost. Yet, instead of supporting their struggle, BIMSTEC is handing the junta a platform,” said Rangsiman Rome, APHR Board Member and Member of the House of Representatives of Thailand. “Thailand, as the host of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, has a responsibility to lead with integrity and take a clear stand against the junta’s participation.” Despite its economic and geopolitical ambitions, BIMSTEC has yet to demonstrate a meaningful commitment to addressing security threats posed by state repression. By engaging the illegitimate Myanmar junta without conditions, it undermines the very stability it claims to promote. APHR believes that economic cooperation cannot be separated from human rights. A regime that wages war on its people cannot be a trusted partner in regional development. “BIMSTEC must not turn a blind eye to authoritarianism,” said Angelina Sarmento, APHR Board Member and Member of the Parliament of Timor Leste. “Its engagement with Myanmar must be principled and centered on the victims, not their oppressors.”

A rescue team from the Fire Service and Civil Defence has been deployed to Myanmar to assist in search and rescue operations following a devastating earthquake. The 10-member rescue team departed from Dhaka at 11:35am on Tuesday aboard a special flight as part of a joint humanitarian assistance mission coordinated by the Bangladesh Armed Forces Division. Bangladesh's 55-member rescue, medical team arrives in quake-hit Myanmar Led by Deputy Director of Dhaka Division, Md Saleh Uddin, the team comprises three officers and seven firefighters, according to a press release. Notably, the Fire Service and Civil Defence had previously sent a rescue team to Turkey in 2023 to aid in post-earthquake recovery efforts.

A 55-member rescue and medical team from Bangladesh reached Nay Pyi Taw on Tuesday afternoon to extend humanitarian assistance to the earthquake affected people of Myanmar. Two C 130 J and one CASA C 295W flights carried the team along with a total 15 metric tons of relief materials comprising 4.2 metric ton medicine and medical products, tent, and dry food to Myanmar.  Bangladesh sends 2nd consignment of emergency aid to Myanmar Bangladesh Ambassador in Myanmar M Monwar Hossain handed over the relief materials to Ambassador at large of Myanmar Foreign Ministry Kyaw Tun, according to an official message here. Defence Adviser of the Embassy Brigadier General Md. Aftab Hossain was also present during the handing over ceremony. Earlier on March 30, Bangladesh sent the first consignment of 16.5 metric tons of relief in two flights.

The smell of decaying bodies permeated the streets of Myanmar's second-largest city on Sunday as people worked frantically by hand to clear rubble in the hope of finding someone still alive, two days after a massive earthquake struck that killed more than 1,600 people and left countless others buried. The 7.7 magnitude quake hit midday Friday with an epicenter near Mandalay, bringing down scores of buildings and damaging other infrastructure like the city’s airport. Relief efforts have been hampered by buckled roads, downed bridges, spotty communications and the challenges of operating in a country in the midst of a civil war. The search for survivors has been primarily conducted by the local residents without the aid of heavy equipment, moving rubble by hand and with shovels in 41-degree Celsius (106 Fahrenheit) heat, with only the occasional tracked excavator to be seen. A 5.1 magnitude aftershock Sunday afternoon prompted screams from those in the streets, and then the work continued. Many of Mandalay's 1.5 million people spent the night sleeping on the streets, either left homeless by the quake, which also shook neighboring Thailand and killed at least 18 people there, or worried that the continuing aftershocks might cause structures left unstable to collapse. Many areas still have not been reached So far 1,644 people have been reported killed in Myanmar and 3,408 injured, but many areas have not yet been reached, and many rescue efforts so far have been undertaken by people working by hand to try and clear rubble, said Cara Bragg, the Yangon-based manager of Catholic Relief Services in Myanmar. “It's mainly been local volunteers, local people who are just trying to find their loved ones,” Bragg said after bring briefed by her colleague in Mandalay. Bangladesh hands over first consignment of humanitarian relief to Myanmar “I've also seen reports that now some countries are sending search and rescue teams up to Mandalay to support the efforts, but hospitals are really struggling to cope with the influx of injured people, there's a shortage of medical supplies, and people are struggling to find food and clean water,” Bragg added. The organization was sending a team by road on Sunday to assess peoples' most pressing needs so that it could target its own response. With the Mandalay airport damaged and the control tower toppled in the capital Naypitaw's airport, all commercial flights into the cities have been shut down. Official relief efforts in Naypitaw were prioritizing government offices and staff housing, leaving locals and aid groups to dig through the rubble by hand in residential areas, the hot sun beating down and the smell of death in the air. A team sent from neighboring China rescued an older man who had been trapped for nearly 40 hours beneath the rubble of a Naypitaw hospital, and many others are believed to still be buried under, the official Xinhua news agency reported. Myanmar sits on the Sagaing Fault, a major north-south fault that separates the India plate and the Sunda plate. The earthquake occurred when a 200-kilometer (125-mile) section of the fault ruptured, causing widespread damage along a wide swath of territory down the middle of the country, including Sagaing, Mandalay, Magway and Bago regions and Shan State. With widespread telecommunication outages, few details have come out so far from areas other than the main urban areas of Mandalay and Naypitaw. Foreign aid starts to arrive in Myanmar Still, two Indian C-17 military transport aircraft were able to land late Saturday at Naypitaw with a field hospital unit and some 120 personnel who were then to travel north to Mandalay to establish a 60-bed emergency treatment center, according to the country's Foreign Ministry. Other Indian supplies were flown into Yangon, Myanmar's biggest city, which has been the hub of other foreign relief efforts. On Sunday, a convoy of 17 Chinese cargo trucks carrying critical shelter and medical supplies was expected to reach Mandalay, after making the arduous journey by road from Yangon. The 650-kilometer (400-mile) journey has been taking 14 hours or longer, with clogged roads and traffic diverted from the main highway to skirt damage from the earthquake. At the same time, the window of opportunity to find anyone alive is rapidly closing. Most rescues occur within the first 24 hours after a disaster, and then survival chances drop as each day passes. An initial report on earthquake relief efforts issued Saturday by the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs noted the severe damage or destruction of many health facilities, and warned that a “severe shortage of medical supplies is hampering response efforts, including trauma kits, blood bags, anesthetics, assistive devices, essential medicines, and tents for health workers.” China said it has sent more than 135 rescue personnel and experts along with supplies like medical kits and generators and pledged around $13.8 million in emergency aid. Russia’s Emergencies Ministry said it had flown in 120 rescuers and supplies to Yangon, and the country’s Health Ministry said Moscow had sent a medical team to Myanmar. Bangladesh rescue team to fly to earthquake-hit Myanmar Sunday: ISPR Teams from Singapore have been working already in Naypitaw. Malaysia dispatched a team of 50 personnel on Sunday with trucks, search and rescue equipment and medical supplies. Thailand said 55 of its soldiers arrived in Yangon on Sunday to help with search and rescue operations, while Britain announced a $13 million aid package to help its locally-funded partners already in Myanmar respond to the crisis. 18 people reported dead in Thailand In neighboring Thailand, the quake rocked much of the country, bringing down a high-rise building under construction in Bangkok, some 1,300 kilometers (800 miles) away from the epicenter. So far, 11 people have been found dead at the construction site near the popular Chatuchak market. A total of 18 people have been reported killed by the quake in Thailand so far. Rescue efforts in Myanmar complicated by civil war In Myanmar, which is also known as Burma, rescue efforts so far are focused on Mandalay and Naypyitaw, which are thought to have been the hardest hit, but many other areas were also impacted and little is known so far about the damage there. “We're hearing reports of hundreds of people trapped in different areas,” said Bragg. “Right now we're at 1,600 (known fatalities) and we don't have a lot of data coming out but you've got to assume it will be increasing in the thousands based on what the impacts are. This is just anecdotal information at this point.” Beyond the earthquake damage, rescue efforts are complicated by the bloody civil war roiling much of the country, including in quake-affected areas. In 2021, the military seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, sparking what has since turned into significant armed resistance. Government forces have lost control of much of Myanmar, and many places are dangerous or impossible for aid groups to reach. More than 3 million people have been displaced by the fighting and nearly 20 million are in need, according to the United Nations. The government military has been fighting long-established militias and newly formed pro-democracy People's Defense Forces, and has heavily restricted much-needed aid efforts to the large population already displaced by war even before the earthquake. Military attacks continued with airstrikes on Friday and reports of mortar and drone attacks on Saturday. Tarique expresses deep sorrow over loss of lives in Myanmar, Thailand earthquake  Tom Andrews, a monitor on rights in Myanmar commissioned by the U.N.-backed Human Rights Council, called for the military to immediately call a ceasefire. “Aid workers should not have to fear arrest and there should be no obstructions to aid getting to where it is most needed,” he said on X. “Every minute counts.”

A devastating earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday, causing widespread destruction across the impoverished nation. Officials warned that the death toll, already surpassing 140, was expected to rise. In Thailand, at least six people were killed in Bangkok, where an under-construction high-rise collapsed. The full extent of casualties and damage remains unclear, especially in Myanmar, where a civil war and strict government controls limit information. Myanmar’s military leader, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, announced on television that at least 144 people had died and 730 were injured. In Thailand, officials revised their initial death toll, reducing it from 10 to six, clarifying that some critically injured victims had been mistakenly reported as deceased. What to do if you're in a building during an earthquake? The 7.7-magnitude quake struck near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, at midday, followed by strong aftershocks, including one measuring 6.4. Widespread Devastation in MyanmarMyanmar, located in an active seismic zone, has experienced quakes before, but Friday’s event affected densely populated areas. The U.S. Geological Survey estimated the death toll could exceed 1,000. In Mandalay, multiple buildings collapsed, including a major monastery. Photos from Naypyidaw showed rescuers pulling victims from the rubble of government housing. The disaster has increased demand for blood donations in the worst-hit regions. Myanmar’s government signaled openness to foreign aid, a shift from previous reluctance. The United Nations has allocated $5 million for initial relief efforts. U.S. President Donald Trump pledged American support, though concerns remain about the impact of his administration’s foreign aid cuts on disaster response. Over 150 killed as powerful earthquake strikes Myanmar and Thailand Severe infrastructure damage—including a collapsed bridge and a burst dam—has made rescue efforts challenging. International Rescue Committee official Mohammed Riyas warned that it could take weeks to assess the full scope of destruction. Bridges Collapse, Monastery Falls, and Dam BurstsMyanmar’s state-run newspaper, Global New Light of Myanmar, reported that five cities experienced building collapses, and two bridges fell, including one on a major highway between Mandalay and Yangon. A photo showed the wreckage of an emergency department at Naypyidaw’s main hospital. A video from Mandalay captured monks filming the Ma Soe Yane monastery just before it crumbled. Damage was also reported at the city’s former royal palace. Christian Aid stated that a dam breach in one city led to flooding in low-lying areas. In Yangon, the country’s largest city, residents fled their homes when the quake struck. In Naypyidaw, partially collapsed buildings left rescuers working through piles of debris. Julie Mehigan of Christian Aid highlighted the disaster’s impact on a nation already struggling with conflict and displacement. The military, which seized power from Aung San Suu Kyi’s government in 2021, is engaged in a violent civil war, making aid delivery to affected areas difficult. More than 3 million people have been displaced, with nearly 20 million in need of humanitarian assistance. High-Rise Collapse in BangkokIn Thailand, a 33-story building under construction collapsed near Bangkok’s Chatuchak market, sending a massive cloud of dust into the air. Video footage showed people screaming and fleeing as the structure fell. Emergency sirens echoed across the city as rescue teams worked through the wreckage, where twisted steel and shattered concrete piled up. The injured were rushed to hospitals, some treated on sidewalks. “This is a terrible tragedy,” Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit said after visiting the site. Although earthquakes are not uncommon in the region, tremors are rarely felt in Bangkok, a city of over 17 million residents. Witnesses described swaying buildings and chaotic evacuations. Voranoot Thirawat, a lawyer, described seeing lights swinging and hearing creaking sounds before she and her colleagues fled down 12 flights of stairs. A Scottish tourist, Fraser Morton, recounted the sudden panic inside a shopping mall, while an English visitor, Paul Vincent, witnessed a rooftop pool spilling water as people screamed in the streets. The U.S. Geological Survey and Germany’s GFZ geoscience center reported that the earthquake occurred at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), making its impact more severe. Quake Felt in China The tremors extended into China’s Yunnan and Sichuan provinces, causing damage and injuries in the border city of Ruili. Residents in Mangshi, about 100 kilometers northeast of Ruili, described the shaking as so intense that standing upright was impossible.   

A major earthquake jolted parts of the country including Dhaka and Chattogram on Friday, according to Bangladesh Meteorological Department. The tremor measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale was felt at 12:21 pm, it said. The Epicentre of the earthquake was Mandalay, Myanmar, 597 km South- East off BMD Seismic Centre, Agargaon, Dhaka. However, no causalities were reported. Meanwhile, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a slightly higher magnitude of 7.7. According to the USGS, the epicentre was 16 kilometres north-northwest of Sagaing, Myanmar, at a depth of 10 kilometres. A 7.7 magnitude earthquake rocked Thailand and neighbouring Myanmar midday on Friday, killing at least three people in Bangkok and burying dozens when a high-rise building under construction collapsed, reports AP. The midday temblor with an epicenter near Mandalay, Myanmar's second largest city, was followed by a strong 6.4 magnitude aftershock. Myanmar and Thailand hit by major earthquakes Following this, Myanmar's military-run government declared a state of emergency in six regions and states including the capital Naypyitaw and Mandalay. A dramatic video of the building's collapse near Bangkok’s popular Chatuchak market circulated on social media showed the multi-story building with a crane on top toppling into a cloud of dust, while onlookers screamed and ran. Elsewhere, people in Bangkok evacuated from their buildings were cautioned to stay outside in case there were more aftershocks. Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention said the quake was felt in almost all regions of the country. Although no deaths or injuries have been reported in Bangladesh so far, the event has raised fresh concerns about the country's ability to handle a major earthquake disaster. Experts point out that with more than 60 tremors recorded since 2024, the increasing frequency underscores the critical need for stronger disaster preparedness measures. Another tremor of a 7.1 magnitude earthquake shook Bangladesh on January 7. The tremors were also felt across Nepal, India, Bhutan and China, highlighting the regional dimensions of such disasters