Climate change threat on the rise

Bangladesh has been successful in different aspects of disaster management, but it needs to do more to reduce disaster risks and combat threats of climate change, experts said yesterday.

The patterns of natural calamities change frequently in Bangladesh while the climate change is posing an increased risk, they also said.

Speaking at National Conference on Disaster Risk Management 2017, they recommended that the authorities concerned should focus on urban disasters such as earthquakes and fire, and ensure an increased involvement of the private sector.

Department of Disaster Management (DDM) organised the two-day conference in the capital's Bangabandhu International Conference Centre, aiming to find a way forward in reducing disaster risk and reflect on the 5th Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction held in Cancun of Mexico in May 2017.

Reaz Ahmed, director general of DDM, inaugurated the programme that was sponsored by different local and international organisations including Care, UNDP, Brac, Humanitarian Leadership Academy and Bangladesh Red Crescent Society.

During his speech, Reaz said in addition to conventional disasters such as cyclone and flood, the country is experiencing early floods and lightning strikes -- a sign of change in trend of disasters.

The government, however, has already taken several initiatives to reduce disaster risks, he added.

Ehsanur Rahman, executive director of Dhaka Ahsania Mission; Dr Mahbuba Nasreen, a professor at Dhaka University; and Suman Ahsanul Islam, director of Bangladesh Centre of Humanitarian Leadership Academy; also spoke.