He was addressing the inaugural session of a three-day workshop titled 'Sharing of experience on early warning system and BDRCS cyclone preparedness programme (CPP)' as the chief guest at a city hotel on Tuesday.

Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) organised the workshop to share the experience and gather knowledge about the warning system of natural disasters in the form of cyclone, tsunami, typhoon, earthquake and Katrina in different countries.

Expressing concern over the recent landslides in Chittagong induced by heavy rainfall, the adviser said Bangladesh is vulnerable to not only cyclone but also to earthquake and tsunami.

The workshop would benefit us with new leanings to face new challenges, said the adviser.

The CPP was initiated in 1972 following the major cyclone of 1970 that killed around five lakh people and made millions homeless. Its operation has been extended to 31 upazilas of the cyclonic high-risk coastal areas, the adviser said.

Appreciating the role of about 1.60 lakh volunteers of BDRCS, its Secretary General M Shafiul Alam said that they disseminate accurate warning for the local population, assist in their evacuation, sheltering, first aid and relief.

Speaking on the occasion, Selvaratnam S, head of the delegation in Bangladesh, International Federation of Red Crescent Society, pointed out that the natural calamities cannot be stopped, however, the number of casualties can be reduced through early warning.

Md Abdur Rob, chairman, BDRCS and Drew Strobel, senior field representative, American Red Cross in Thailand, also spoke in the inaugural session.

The workshop will conclude tomorrow with the participation of representatives from Red Crescent Society member countries, including Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and the United States of America.