Govt builds strong infrastructure to reduce disaster causality: Dr Razzak
Friday, 1 May 2009
CHITTAGONG, Apr 30 (BSS): Minister for Food and Disaster Management Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzak Thursday said the present government was working hard to build up a strong institutional infrastructure for the disaster management to lessen causality and destruction.
He was speaking as the chief guest at a function of handing over equipment for search and rescue operation for earthquake and other disasters.
Held at the city's Army Embarkation Unit field, the function was presided over by the Disaster Management Secretary Mukhlesur Rahman, and addressed, among others, by Chief of Army Staff General Moeen U Ahmed, NDC, PSC and Director General of Disaster Management Bureau Mohammad Farhadu-ddin.
The Food Minister said the government with the financial assistance of World Bank (WB) would procure different disaster management equipment at a cost of TK 2.0 billion very soon.
"Besides, a team of 600 volunteers, 200 each from Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet city corporations would be formed to conduct search and rescue operations in the post-earthquake incidents under a pilot project.
Razzak said the earthquake disaster management equipment like excavator, wheelbarrow, bulldozer, fork lift, mobile light unit, generators and 90 metre high hydraulic truck ladders were being purchased with the financial assistance of Japan to face the eventuality of disasters.
Elaborating his ministry's disaster management plan, the minister said the Disaster Management Bureau was executing two projects for buying earthquake and disaster equipment at the cost of TK 550 million (55 crore) in the next fiscal year.
Quoting scientists, the minister said according to seismological survey, Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet are at great risk of severe earthquake.
"We have passed 90 years after great tremor that had happened in our country and scientists feared that another large scale tremor may strike Bangladesh in course of time.
The minister said Bangladesh Army had been playing a leading role in post-disaster management programme in the country. The equipment would enhance competency of the army, the fire service and civil defence and the coastguard.
Speaking on the occasion, Army Chief said army were to stand beside the people first in any natural catastrophe where they had proved their trust and patriotism. The competency of Bangladesh army was not achieved in a day, which was possible facing disaster management for years.
"Though we have achieved efficiency in coping with the cyclone sidr and flood but we are far behind in preparedness programme especially for earthquake, " Moeen affirmed
The minister later handed over four trucks, three 90 feet high cranes to army chief Moeen U Ahmed, one truck to Director General of fire service and Civil Defence Brigadier General Abu Noyeem Mohammad Sahidullah and a camera to Bangladesh navy.
The equipment, thought to be used in rapid response and cost Tk 80 million (eight crore) will greatly help in searching and rescue operation in the post-disaster situation.
He was speaking as the chief guest at a function of handing over equipment for search and rescue operation for earthquake and other disasters.
Held at the city's Army Embarkation Unit field, the function was presided over by the Disaster Management Secretary Mukhlesur Rahman, and addressed, among others, by Chief of Army Staff General Moeen U Ahmed, NDC, PSC and Director General of Disaster Management Bureau Mohammad Farhadu-ddin.
The Food Minister said the government with the financial assistance of World Bank (WB) would procure different disaster management equipment at a cost of TK 2.0 billion very soon.
"Besides, a team of 600 volunteers, 200 each from Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet city corporations would be formed to conduct search and rescue operations in the post-earthquake incidents under a pilot project.
Razzak said the earthquake disaster management equipment like excavator, wheelbarrow, bulldozer, fork lift, mobile light unit, generators and 90 metre high hydraulic truck ladders were being purchased with the financial assistance of Japan to face the eventuality of disasters.
Elaborating his ministry's disaster management plan, the minister said the Disaster Management Bureau was executing two projects for buying earthquake and disaster equipment at the cost of TK 550 million (55 crore) in the next fiscal year.
Quoting scientists, the minister said according to seismological survey, Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet are at great risk of severe earthquake.
"We have passed 90 years after great tremor that had happened in our country and scientists feared that another large scale tremor may strike Bangladesh in course of time.
The minister said Bangladesh Army had been playing a leading role in post-disaster management programme in the country. The equipment would enhance competency of the army, the fire service and civil defence and the coastguard.
Speaking on the occasion, Army Chief said army were to stand beside the people first in any natural catastrophe where they had proved their trust and patriotism. The competency of Bangladesh army was not achieved in a day, which was possible facing disaster management for years.
"Though we have achieved efficiency in coping with the cyclone sidr and flood but we are far behind in preparedness programme especially for earthquake, " Moeen affirmed
The minister later handed over four trucks, three 90 feet high cranes to army chief Moeen U Ahmed, one truck to Director General of fire service and Civil Defence Brigadier General Abu Noyeem Mohammad Sahidullah and a camera to Bangladesh navy.
The equipment, thought to be used in rapid response and cost Tk 80 million (eight crore) will greatly help in searching and rescue operation in the post-disaster situation.