Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday vowed to continue the country’s development spree whatever risks come, calling all to act cautiously keeping in mind the dangers of disasters.
“We always think the country is ours. So, whatever risks will come, the development spree will surely be continued. — We will surely step forward towards the development facing everything. We have been working to pursue the goal,” she said.
The prime minister said this while addressing a function marking 50 years of the Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP) and the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR), from her official Ganabhaban residence here through a video conferencing.
She also opened CPP’s four units — Druto Saradan Unit (quick response unit), Pani Theke Uddar Kora Unit (rescue from water unit), Oti Joar Monitoring O Saradan Unit (high-tide monitoring and response unit) and Khelay Khelay Durjog Prostoti Unit (disaster preparedness with fun).
She hoped that these units will help CPP accelerate disaster management work.
The prime minister said Bangladesh is becoming as an ideal country to counter the disasters in the world due to the government’s tireless efforts following footsteps of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
She called upon all concerned to work accordingly to uphold the global dignity of Bangladesh as a disaster resilient country.
State Minister for the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief Dr. Md. Enamur Rahman and its Secretary Md. Mohsin spoke on the occasion from Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital.
PM’s Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus moderated the function from the Ganabhaban while local public representatives including lawmakers, government officials and others got connected to it from the Muktijoddha Math, Cox’s Bazar end.
The prime minister earlier unveiled a book titled “Durjog Sahonshil Bangladesh Binirmane Sheikh Hasina (Sheikh Hasina in building disaster resilient Bangladesh).
On behalf of the premier, the state minister for the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief distributed “lifetime honorary medal” to three best organizers and six volunteers, including three women, for their outstanding contribution to the field of disaster risk management.
The lifetime awardees are: organizers Saidur Rahman, AKM Hasan Al Rashid,
and AJM Golam Rabbani and volunteers, Shova Rani Das, Ratna Rani Dey, Hawa
Begum, Fazlul Karim, Abdul Hasim Siraj Kazi, and Md Hanif.
Bangladesh is observing the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction
with the local theme “Work together for disaster risk reduction” in line with
the global theme for the 2021 edition, “International cooperation for
developing countries to reduce disaster risk and disaster losses.”
The premier later witnessed a cultural programme that included a brief
drama on disaster preparedness, staged at the Cox’s Bazar end.
A video documentary on 50 years of CPP: Bangabandhu to Sheikh Hasina was
also screened at the function.
Highlighting various initiatives taken time to time by her government
to reduce the risk of disasters, the Prime Minister said they have
been doing their part while the people would have to do their part to
this end.
“People of our country need to be careful and take some measures
accordingly. While constructing houses, offices, and business establishments
you have to keep in mind that disasters such as fire, storm
and flood can strike any time. So, everyone should follow the building code while
constructing those to stay away from the risks,” she said.
