State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Enamur Rahman on Thursday said several spells of flooding affected 5.2 million people in 34 districts this year.
He gave the information while addressing a dialogue organised by the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF) at the secretariat, reports UNB.
“This time, there was allotment for cattle and baby food. Those who did not go to shelters have also been brought under relief assistance. This time, the relief management has been widely praised,” he said.
"We’ve issued a disaster management work order to bring disaster management in one framework. It’s been praised at home and abroad," the state minister said.
“Construction of 423 flood shelters is almost completed. Establishment of 220 cyclone centres was fully completed and construction of 550 Mujib Kella is underway,” he added.
The state minister said earthquake-resistant infrastructure will be built across the country within the next 50 years with the financial and technical support of JICA.
Enamur said Japan is an earthquake-prone country, but they built their infrastructure in such a way that the earthquake could not cause any damage.
“JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) gave us a presentation and assured of all possible help after we expressed interest in such infrastructure,” he said.
Several meetings were held at the Parliament and the ministry. They asked us to appoint a focal point, later they presented us with a 50-year plan, said the state minister.
“The entire infrastructure in Bangladesh will be made earthquake tolerant. They’ll provide us financial and technical assistance,” said Enamur.
There have been meetings and seminars to raise awareness among the people about earthquakes and discussions on rescue work.
“But we couldn’t take any measures to build an earthquake tolerant state. That's why I want to do the work in the style of Japan,” he said.
The work could not be started because of coronavirus pandemic, he said adding that JICA team can't come here. The work will start after their arrival.
He said in the first phase, the old infrastructures like in old Dhaka will be demolished and earthquake-resistant buildings will be constructed with new designs and distributed among the beneficiaries.
In the second phase, high-rise buildings will be inspected and action will be taken, and in the third phase, the Japanese government will train our engineer architects.
