Govt to form earthquake taskforce, prepare 1 lakh volunteers on PM’s directives

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman yesterday (29 July) directed the authorities concerned to strengthen earthquake preparedness by forming a national taskforce and preparing 100,000 volunteers for emergency response in Dhaka and adjacent areas.

At a high-level meeting on earthquake preparedness, he also decided to establish a dedicated earthquake preparedness cell at the Prime Minister’s Office, said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain Shadhin.

The meeting, held at the Cabinet Division of the Bangladesh Secretariat with the Prime Minister in the chair, reviewed post-earthquake emergency response, inter-agency coordination, public awareness initiatives and logistic preparedness.

It discussed forming a national taskforce, preparing and training 100,000 volunteers to provide emergency services in Dhaka and adjoining areas after an earthquake, and ensuring the availability of necessary equipment.

Of the targeted volunteers, a database of 70,000 has already been prepared, while preparations are underway to ready the remaining 30,000.

The meeting also discussed initiatives to increase public awareness about earthquake preparedness, ensure effective coordination between government and private organisations during disasters, and establish Humanitarian Staging Areas (HSAs) in Dhaka to facilitate emergency response and relief operations.

Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu, State Minister M Iqbal Hossain, State Minister for Health and Family Welfare MA Muhit, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister ABM Abdus Sattar, Disaster Management and Relief Secretary Md Saidur Rahman Khan, and others attended the meeting.