Speakers at a discussion here have stressed for coordinated and enhanced GO-NGO efforts involving the community people and early preparedness for reducing disaster risks, losses of lives and damages of properties.
They were addressing a post-rally discussion organised by Pairaband Union Federation of RDRS Bangladesh at its office in Mithapukur upazila in Rangpur on Monday afternoon in observance of the International Day for Disaster Reduction-2013.Earlier, a large number of people including local community leaders,students, teachers, public representatives, socio cultural and human rights activists, professionals and elite brought out a colourful
rally in the area.With President of Pairaband Union Federation of RDRS Bangladesh and local union parishad member Hasina Begum in the chair, Senior Social Development Officer of RDRS Bangladesh SM Amir Hossain attended the discussion as the chief guest.Community Mobilizer of RDRS Bangladesh Aftabuzzaman, General Secretary of Pairaband Union Federation of RDRS Bangladesh Farida Begum, its Treasurer Amena Begum and Organising Secretary Ashraful Islam addressed.In her welcome speech, Hasina Begum narrated various types of natural disasters and suggested various community-based ways and means for reducing disaster risks in the disaster-prone rural areas.The speakers stressed for enhanced efforts of all concerned government departments and non-government organisations to create mass awareness and disseminate knowledge among the common people to reduce risks of natural disasters.The government in association with the NGOs has been working hard to reduce disaster risks through efficient emergency response management systems, early preparedness and effective dissemination of information and warnings among the people, they said.
They said there is no alternative to taking comprehensive steps for reducing risks of natural disasters considering the adverse impacts of climate change that adversely affects agriculture, environment, ecology and bio-diversity posing real threat to the nature.In his speech, the chief guest put maximum emphasis on making the common people aware about natural disasters and its proper managements for reducing risks, destructions and losses through educating them on early preparedness. -BSS, Rangpur
