CARE Bangladesh and local administration jointly organised a discussion event on Forecast-based early action (FbA) in Ulipur, Kurigram on Thursday, says a press release.
Md Atiqul Huq, Director General (DG) of the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) was present as chief guest in the discussion.
Supporting Flood Forecast-based Action and Learning in Bangladesh (SUFAL Project) is being implemented by CARE Bangladesh, Concern Worldwide, Islamic Relief Bangladesh and the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES); and financially supported by ECHO. SUFAL has developed a forecast-based early action matrix during the 2020 monsoon season which contributed to saving lives and assets of the most vulnerable people living in Kurigram,Gaibandhaand Jamalpur.
Under SUFAL interventions, awareness was raised on flood early warning by loudspeaker announcements and voice messages and members of the disaster management committees found early action very effective while revealing in the discussion session.
Based on early warnings before flood, boats were provided for evacuating people and temporary shelter items were distributed among the vulnerable households.
In the existing flood shelters, SUFAL undertook immediate repair work and also built tube wells and toilets. Several temporary walkways were built in inundated areas and minor repair of roads and embankments were done, with co-financing from disaster management committees.
“I thank CARE for organising the event to share learnings based on the implementation of Forecast-based early action (FbA) initiatives,” said Md Atiqul Huq, director general (DG) of the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) while delivering his speech as chief guest.
“Replication of early action initiatives in other flood-prone areas will help save lives and livelihoods of the vulnerable people in future,” he added.
Md Rezual Karim, deputy commissioner of Kurigram, Md Arifzumman Bhuiyan, executive engineer of FFWC and Netai Chandra Dey Sarker, deputy director (training) of DDM also spoke on the occasion.