They also underscored the need for better coordination between the government and the NGOs in disaster management to effectively tackle the flood disaster.

The Shaptahik 2000 and ActionAid Bangladesh jointly organised the roundtable entitled 'Flood 2006: Our preparation' at the National Press Club in the city.

Speaking as the chief guest, Food and Disaster Management Minister Choudhury Kamal Ibne Yusuf called for giving highest priority to the preparation of flood management plans.

Khurshid Alam, a disaster reduction, livelihoods and governance specialist, presented the keynote paper entitled, 'Moderate flooding hazard can cause severe destruction on lives and livelihoods in 2006 because of high level of vulnerability: Assumptions, evidences and policy implications'.

Impact of any moderate or normal flood in 2006 will be very high due to higher level of vulnerability of the population living in the northern region, he said, adding that this vulnerability is characterised by fragile livelihood, limited access to life saving services and lower level of institutional preparedness.

A survey conducted in Jamalpur, Sirajganj, Gaibandha and Kurigram districts on 425 people shows that a significant proportion of the population was not able to undertake regular preparedness activities at the family level despite their knowledge on preparedness measures, he added.

Awami League lawmaker Col. (Retd.) Faruk Khan suggested incorporating the issue of flood management and preparedness into textbooks in order to raise awareness among the young generation.

He also called for taking up short- and long-term plans to tackle flood disaster.

Under the short-term plan, initiatives can be taken to ensure supply of food and medicine to the flood victims while setting up shelter centres and using different materials to erect houses can be considered under long-term plan, he added.

Abdul Kaiyum, joint editor of the Prothom Alo, called for regional cooperation in preserving flood water, which can be used during dry season.

The speakers also suggested making the local government institutions more efficient and active to improve disaster management capacity.

Kazi Golam Mostafa, additional director general of Water Development Board, Nayeem Wahra of Save the Children-UK, Golam Mortoza, acting editor of Shaptahik 2000, Muniruzzaman, assistant editor of the Sangbad, and lawmakers GM Kader and Talukdar Abdul Khalek also spoke at the roundtable moderated by Shihabuddin of ActionAid Bangladesh.