Speakers for central coordination of community volunteers

FE REPORT

Speakers at a programme on Sunday stressed the need for centralised coordination of community volunteers so that they can respond swiftly to disasters or other humanitarian crises.

They also said mitigation of losses during a disaster depends on prompt response by designated authorities while timely assistance from local volunteers can make disaster management organised.

The observations came at a workshop titled "National Urban Community Volunteer Database-2020" organised by Save the Children in Bangladesh at the BIAM Foundation Auditorium in the capital's New Eskaton.

At the event, the draft of National Urban Community Volunteer Database-2020 was also finalised in presence of the top officials of disaster management and relief ministry.

Disaster Management and Relief Secretary Md Mohsin addressed the programme as the chief guest while Save the Children in Bangladesh Deputy Country Director Bandana Risal spoke as the special guest with Director General of Disaster Management Directorate Md Atiqul Haque in chair.

Mr Mohsin in his speech said coordinated efforts in disaster management is the key in mitigating losses and a central database of countrywide volunteers will surely help minimise disaster response time.

It will be possible to store and use updated information of all urban community volunteers in the country through this database shortly, he noted.

Besides, he thanked Save the Children for cooperating with the ministry in developing the database.

The ministry formed a committee consisting of its additional secretaries Satyabrata Saha, Shamima Haque and Md Mohsin to prepare Urban Community Volunteer Management Guidelines and Database.

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