DCCI sets up 1st disaster risk management center in S Asia

The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) in collaboration with Strengthening Urban Public-Private Programming for Earthquake Resilience Project (SUPER Project) has established South Asia’s first disaster risk management center in Bangladesh.

At an event on Tuesday, State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman inaugurated the Private Sector Emergency Operation Center, said a press release. 

While addressing the occasion, DCCI President Rizwan Rahman said, “We should focus on risk resilience infrastructure system to ensure risk free industrialisation and investment.”

He urged all to change the traditional mindset regarding disaster risk management and to be aware of its
impact.

He stressed ensuring more involvement of the private sector in this regard and said any disaster hampers the industrialisation and economic growth so this is the duty of all irrespective of business or non-business sector to respond the critical issue.

Dr Md Enamur Rahman said the government and the private sector should work together for disaster risk management in Bangladesh and hoped that this emergency operation center will play a vital role to combat any disaster.

He told the participants that government has taken initiatives to establish a “National Emergency Operation Center” in Tejgaon area with Chinese technical and financial assistance.

He also said that over 42 Lakh volunteers are already been trained and equipped with necessary instruments to mitigate the losses of disaster.

Disaster and Relief Secretary Md Mohsin said Bangladesh is now a role model for disaster management and the participation of private sector reflects the preparedness to create awareness of this sector.

Country Director of ActionAid Bangladesh Farah Kabir said private sector should allocate more funds for research on disaster risk management and also create a database of skilled manpower for disaster management.

She also said that trade organisations in the rural areas should incorporate more in this regard.

DCCI Senior Vice President N K A Mobin gave vote of thanks while DCCI Vice President Monowar Hossain and members of its board of directors were present.