Staff Reporter

A joint action planning meeting was held at the Shaheed A. K. Shamsuddin Conference Hall of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Sirajganj on Monday last.

The meeting focused on disaster risk mitigation and aimed to improve disaster management systems to protect the lives and livelihoods of people living in flood-prone areas of Sirajganj district, said a press release.

It is to be mentioned that, Sirajganj district is considered as a vulnerable zone for natural disasters like floods and river erosion due to locating near the Jamuna River. People of different Chars in the district fight against the disasters to survive for around whole year.

Deputy Director (Deputy Secretary) of Local Government, Muhammad Tofazzal Hossain, attended the programme as the chief guest, while it was presided over by Additional Deputy Commissioner (General), Gonpoti Ray.

The chief gust Mohammad Tofazzal Hossain stressed the need for joint action plan (JAP) developed in coordination with the Disaster Management Committee.

He also said, “Success of the plans depends on teamwork involving all level of local ward disaster management committees. The support of NGOs and other partner organizations would help reduce disaster risks.”

The meeting was part of the project, “Enhancing Disaster Resilience Capacity of the Monsoon Flood Affected Population of Sirajganj District in Bangladesh.” This project is led by Manab Mukti Sangstha (MMS) with funding from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and supported by Oxfam.

This initiative shows a strong commitment to making Sirajganj more resilient to disasters, speakers opined.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (Education and ICT) Rozina Akter, District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer (DRRO) Muhammad Aktaruzzaman, representatives from different levels of disaster management committees and officials of district administration and local NGO-Manab Mukti Sangstha (MMS) among others spoke in this occasion.