Despite remarkable progress in disaster risk management in Bangladesh in recent years, there is still lack of coordination and co-operation among the agencies concerned, Finance Minister AMA Muhith said on Wednesday.
"Bangladesh's achievement in disaster risk management can be an example for many countries; however, lack of co-ordination and cooperation among the stakeholders is still a major challenge," said the Finance Minister.
The country was frequently affected during the fifties and sixties, Mr Muhith said, adding the extent of losses has significantly come down in recent years thanks to adequate preparatory measures taken by the stakeholders.
He also laid emphasis on taking special measures for the people with disabilities as they are most vulnerable to such calamities.
"Everybody should play respective roles efficiently during disaster risk management, as everybody suffers from a calamity," he said.
The minister was addressing a session on the second day of the three-day international conference on 'Disability and disaster risk management' at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC).
Finance Secretary Mohammad Muslim Chowdhury chaired the session titled 'Good practices around the world on Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and humanitarian actions'.
Three disaster risk management experts- Mohammad Abdul Qayyum, former additional secretary of Bangladesh government, Michele Falavigna, senior adviser of Disability and Humanitarian Aid from Italy, and Otto Amílcar Mazariegos, a representative of International Disability Alliance from Guatemala, also spoke on the occasion.
The other speakers said community-based programmes, disabled-people friendly infrastructures and creating awareness are also essential to mitigate the extent of losses following a disaster.
Michele Falavigna laid emphasis on taking measures to reduce man-made disasters like Rohingya influx in Bangladesh and migration of Syrian people due to conflict there.
"Agencies concerned should reduce disaster by increasing level of preparedness," he said, adding "In this regard, local communities, associations, and volunteers should play a crucial role to create mass awareness among people".
He shared his experiences in Italy to tackle the situation following a natural disaster.
The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief organised the second version of the international event while United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) is supporting the conference as strategic partner.
The first version of the conference was held in Dhaka also in December 2015.
Hundreds of experts, academics, development workers, and volunteers are taking part in the conference, which will conclude today (Thursday).
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