Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed her determination to continue the country's development spree tackling risks of all disasters.
"We always think the country is ours. So, whatever risks will come, the development spree will surely be continued. We will surely step forward towards the development facing everything. We have been working to pursue the goal," she said.
The prime minister came up with the statement while addressing a function marking 50 years of the Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP) and the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR), from Ganabhaban in Dhaka through a video conference, reports BSS.
She also opened CPP's four units to accelerate disaster management works.
The prime minister said Bangladesh is becoming an ideal country to counter the disasters in the world due to the government's tireless efforts following the footsteps of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
She called upon all concerned to work accordingly to uphold the global dignity of Bangladesh as a disaster-resilient country.
State Minister for the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md. Enamur Rahman and its Secretary Md. Mohsin spoke on the occasion from Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital.
PM's Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus moderated the function from the Ganabhaban while local public representatives including lawmakers, government officials and others got connected to it from the Muktijoddha Math, Cox's Bazar end.
The prime minister earlier unveiled a book titled "Durjog Sahonshil Bangladesh Binirmane Sheikh Hasina (Sheikh Hasina in building disaster-resilient Bangladesh).
On behalf of the premier, the state minister for the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief distributed the "lifetime honorary medal" to three best organisers and six volunteers, including three women, for their outstanding contribution to the field of disaster risk management.
The lifetime awardees are organisers Saidur Rahman, AKM Hasan Al Rashid, and AJM Golam Rabbani and volunteers, Shova Rani Das, Ratna Rani Dey, Hawa Begum, Fazlul Karim, Abdul Hasim Siraj Kazi, and Md Hanif.
Bangladesh is observing the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction with the local theme "Work together for disaster risk reduction" in line with the global theme for the 2021 edition, "International cooperation for developing countries to reduce disaster risk and disaster losses."
The premier later witnessed a cultural programme that included a brief drama on disaster preparedness, staged at the Cox's Bazar end.
A video documentary on 50 years of CPP: Bangabandhu to Sheikh Hasina was also screened at the function.
Highlighting various initiatives taken from time to time by her government to reduce the risk of disasters, the Prime Minister said they have been doing their part while the people would have to do their part to this end.
“People of our country need to be careful and take some measures accordingly. While constructing houses, offices, and business establishments you have to keep in mind that disasters such as fire, storm and flood can strike at any time. So, everyone should follow the building code while constructing those to stay away from the risks,” she said.
She added: “We are doing whatever necessary (in this regard) from our part.”
The premier also called upon all to remain alert about the man-made disasters referring to BNP’s arson attack (in 2014 to thwart the national election).
Mentioning the remarks of the then Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in parliament about the death figure of the 1991 cyclone, the premier said Khaleda Zia told the parliament that "The 1991 cyclone did not kill a large number of people in the coastal areas."
Sheikh Hasina said, "I do not want to hear any such baseless words regarding the tragic incident of the 1991 cyclone."
She urged all concerned to be careful and make others aware of the risk of disasters.
Sheikh Hasina, also President of the Awami League said that they first stood beside the people after the 1991 cyclone.
The prime minister again assured the people to stay beside them during their need, saying, “Awami League has always remained beside the people. Its leaders always stand beside the people no matter who comes or not. You people have seen the leaders and activists of Awami League Swachchhesebak League, Jubo League, Chhatra League, and Krishok League come forward to help the masses during the coronavirus pandemic by risking their lives. We do not see anyone else come forward.”
The prime minister mentioned the various measures taken by her government such as giving cash incentive to the people and businessmen as well as, relief materials to the masses, providing treatment facilities to the people, purchasing vaccines to minimise the hardship of the people and keeping the wheels of the economy turning.
She said her government has started the mass vaccination campaign with a target to bring 80 per cent of the total population under vaccination for which they are purchasing huge quantities of the Covid-19 vaccine.
Despite the fact, the prime minister called upon all to follow the health protocols accordingly as anyone can become infected with coronavirus even after taking the vaccine.