Dhaka-Experts at a conference here on Monday observed that rapid urbanization and unplanned growth of cities are increasing risks of different urban disasters like fire, building collapse and urban flooding in the country.They said Dhaka, being one of the most densely populated cities in the world, is one of the riskiest cities in the world to earthquake because of its unplanned structures.
The daylong conference titled ‘Future Search for Urban Resilience’ was organised by Save the Children at the city’s Spectra Convention Center.
Director general of the Department of Disaster Management Md Reaz Ahmed, deputy secretary of the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry Mirza Ali Ashraf, deputy assistant director of Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence Md Saleh Uddin and Save the Children director (Humanitarian) Mostak Hussain, among others, spoke at the meeting.
Md Reaz Ahmed said the government is working with development partners to reduce the risk of urban disasters and also to better prepare the residents of Dhaka for earthquake.
He urged authorities concerned to take effective measures to enforce building codes for constructing tremor-resilient infrastructures, aiming to minimize loss of lives and property.
Earlier, assistant director (GIS) of Department of Disaster Management Netai Chandra Dey Sarker made a power-point presentation on the Disaster Management Policy 2015.
Climate change specialist from the Climate Change, Environment and Disaster (CCED) Cluster, UNDP Bangladesh, AKM Mamunur Rashid presented a keynote paper on ‘Opportunities and Challenges of Urban Risk Reduction and Resilience.’
The role of youth in urban disaster risk reduction was also discussed at the conference.
