BPP partners unite to build a safer Bangladesh

Speakers said this at bi-monthly coordination meeting of the BPP held at a hotel in Dhaka on Monday. The Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) hosted the event.

Representatives from the government, private sector, NGOs, and academia attended the meeting and emphasised working together for disaster preparedness and resilience.

The meeting was chaired by AKM Abdul Wadud, additional secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR) and chair of the BPP Mobilization Desk. Secretary General of FBCCI Md. Alamgir, co-founder of IDMVS Professor Mahbuba Nasreen, adviser to FBCCI Safety Council Brig. Gen. Abu Nayeem Md. Shahidullah were present at the meeting, among others.

Ms. Shivani Gupta, senior Project Management Specialist of ADPC Hq (Bangkok) joined the meeting virtually.

Chairing the meeting, Wadud emphasised the need to revitalise the Disaster Management Fund (DMF) and fully mobilise the country’s 8 million volunteers, advocating for a national platform to coordinate grassroots resilience efforts.

He also stressed the integration of monitoring and early action into the National Plan for Disaster Management (NPDM) implementation roadmap.

FBCCI Secretary General Md. Alamgir said coordinated efforts by the government, non-governmental organisations, academia, private sector as well as international partners are essential in our country's disaster management and preparedness. We are collectively working together to increase the country's disaster resilience.

“The role of the private sector in disaster management is very important. Through the FBCCI Safety Council, we have taken several initiatives to reduce disaster risk and enhance emergency preparedness in the private sector following the guidelines assigned to FBCCI through the Standing Order on Disaster Management.” he added.

Academic partners, including the Institute of Disaster Management and Vulnerability Studies (IDMVS) and BRAC University, shared baseline study findings and updates on the Response Capacity Index (RCI). Civil society contributions were presented by NAHAB, showcasing inclusive disaster management efforts. ADPCs Senior Program Manager Dr, Mohammad Ahsan Ullah presented a summary of activities during the reporting period and upcoming key event, reports UNB.