Speakers at a programme emphasised increasing capacity-building of human resources engaged in disaster preparedness, response and mitigation for better management of both man-made and natural catastrophes.
They also suggest strengthening coordination among all stakeholders and enabling local communities with proper tools for swift response in case of a disaster.
The views came at a 'National Workshop on Disaster Risk Reduction' organised by World Vision Bangladesh (WVB) in the auditorium of the Department of Disaster Management at Mohakhali on Tuesday.
Department of Disaster Management director general Md Atiqul Huq addressed the programme as the chief guest with disaster management and relief ministry's additional secretary Sk Md Moniruzzaman in the chair.
UNRC Bangladesh humanitarian affairs specialist Kazi Shahidur Rahman, WVB senior director (operations and program quality) Chandan Z Gomes and WVB project manager Md Mahbubur Rahman also spoke.
Mr Huq says, "Although we claim that Bangladesh is the role model of disaster management, the devastating fire at a Sitakunda container terminal proved that we have a lot to do for capacity-building."
In the country's history of disasters, he asserts, the highest number of rescuers has died in the Sitakunda fire, indicating that fire department still lacks proper tools and knowledge to handle such incidents.
Referring to the recent flood situation in Sylhet division, Mr Huq says rescue mission would have been better and quick had there been proper preparedness.
Only one boat could rescue over 150 families per day, but there was a shortage of boats in many flood-hit areas of the division, he deplores the fact.
There was forecast for heavy rain, which is pretty common in monsoon, but the authorities concerned were not equipped to cope with the situation.
Mr Huq suggests better coordination among stakeholders and institutions at local level and improving skills of volunteers for stronger disaster management.
Besides, Mr Moniruzzaman says, "We have a good model of disaster preparedness in Bangladesh, but coordination is essential in this regard for effective disaster management."
The country needs effective coordination among different departments and ministries to increase community resilience through engaging more youths in the process, he adds.
Meanwhile, Mr Gomes says World Vision has been helping communities in Khulna and Satkhira to improve their disaster preparedness, response and mitigation efforts.
A major part of this effort is to empower local disaster management committees, cyclone preparedness and community structures for people's safe passage to shelter when disasters strike, he adds.
In a presentation styled 'Increasing Community Resilience to Disaster in Bangladesh', project manager Rahman says under the increasing community resilience project, WVB worked to increase institutional capacity, coordination and developed infrastructure to prepare, respond and reduce risks related to cyclones and other environmental calamities.
The workshop was held under USAID's 'Increasing Community Resilience to Disaster' project implemented by WVB in partnership with disaster management and relief ministry.
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