Sheikh Hasina for continuation of Bangladesh’s development spree

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Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina 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.

She added: “We are doing whatever necessary (in this regard) from our part.”

The premier also called upon all to remain alert about the man-made disasters referring to BNP’s arson attack (in 2014 to thwart the
national election).

Mentioning the remarks of then Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in parliament that not as much people died that was supposed to die in
1991 cyclone, the Premier said that they never want to hear the words again in life, urging all concerned to be careful and make others
aware of the risk of disasters.

Sheikh Hasina, also President of the Awami League said that they first stood beside the people after the 1991 cyclone.

The Prime Minister again assured the people to stay beside them during their need, saying, “Awami League has always remained beside the
people. Its leaders always stand beside the people no matter who comes or not. You people are seeing the leaders and activists of Awami
League Swachchhesebak League, Jubo League, Chhatra League, and Krishok League to come forward to help the masses during the Coronavirus period by risking their lives. We do not see anyone else coming forward.”

The Prime Minister mentioned the various measures taken by her government such as giving cash incentive to the people and businessmen
as well as, relief materials to the masses, providing treatment facilities to the people, purchasing vaccines to minimise the hardship of the people and keeping the wheels of the economy turning.

She said her government has started the mass vaccination campaign with a target to bring 80 percent of the total population under vaccination for which they are purchasing huge quantity of the Covid-19 vaccine.

Despite the fact, the Prime Minister called upon all to follow the health protocols accordingly as anyone can become infected with coronavirus even after taking the vaccine.

The Prime Minister came up with the opinion that the inclusion of women in the CPP activities has made the organization more effective
and said, “We will always take the measures required to free the people from the risks of disasters.”

Her government has taken all the initiatives to ensure security against disasters and basic needs of the people following the
footprints of the Father of the Nation and working with various plans to make Bangladesh a developed and prosperous country, she said.

Sheikh Hasina said her father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman established the CPP immediately after the Liberation War mainly to
protect both lives and livelihood from natural disasters like cyclone; As Bangabandhu witnessed the sufferings of the masses in the 1970 cyclone that claimed lives of 10 lakh people due to unpreparedness of then East Pakistan government.

Following the footsteps of the Father of the Nation, the Awami League government had taken various measures after coming to power in 1996 for which it had successfully handled the country’s most prolonged 1998 flooding which lasted for two and a half months and 70 percent of the land across the country went under water.

As part of the disaster preparedness, the Prime Minister said her government plans to dredge some 510 km rivers by 2022 alongside implementing various projects in building water reservoirs, excavation of 4886km canals, construction and repairing of flood-control dams.

She added that her government has so far constructed 230 flood shelters and 320 cyclone shelters across the country while
construction of more 423 flood shelters and 230 cyclone shelters is underway to ensure proper management of disaster risk reduction.

Besides, necessary laws including Disaster Management Act, 2012 and Strategic Action Plan 2015 have also been enacted and are being
implemented, she said, adding that capability of the concerned institutions have also been strengthened to a significant extent to
face the disasters.

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