Speakers at a programme on Sunday stressed the need for centralised coordination of community volunteers so that they can respond swiftly to disasters or other humanitarian crises.
They also said mitigation of losses during a disaster depends on prompt response by designated authorities while timely assistance from local volunteers can make disaster management organised.
The observations came at a workshop titled “National Urban Community Volunteer Database-2020” organised by Save the Children in Bangladesh at the BIAM Foundation Auditorium in the capital’s New Eskaton.
At the event, the draft of National Urban Community Volunteer Database-2020 was also finalised in presence of the top officials of disaster management and relief ministry.
Disaster Management and Relief Secretary Md Mohsin addressed the programme as the chief guest while Save the Children in Bangladesh Deputy Country Director Bandana Risal spoke as the special guest with Director General of Disaster Management Directorate Md Atiqul Haque in chair.
Terming the role of urban volunteers in disaster management immense, Ms Risal said the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief has prepared ‘Urban Volunteer Management Guidelines 2019’ for better coordination of volunteers across the country.
She also said the volunteer database will help institutionalise urban volunteers and play a significant role in strengthening the national disaster management system, she added.
Deputy Secretary of Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief Kazi Tasmin Ara Ajmeri hosted the event.
Senior Manager of Save the Children Nazat Chowdhury, among others, spoke at the workshop.
