Bangladesh: President, PM for awareness to reduce disaster risks
Dhaka - President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today wished success of all programmes marking International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2013.
In separate messages, they hoped that the observance of the day tomorrow (October 13) would create awareness and help reduce disaster risks in the country.
In his message, President Abdul Hamid said Bangladesh is identified as one of the world's disaster-prone countries for its geographical position.
He said the theme of this year's International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction --'Living with disability and disaster' -- has been appropriate.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, said, "I am happy to learn that the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is being observed in Bangladesh as elsewhere in the world on 13 October 2013."
She said disabled people along with women and children are the worst victims of disasters. In this context, this year's theme of the day is very much time-befitting.
The Prime Minister said her government enacted the Standing Orders on Disaster in 1997 and revised it in 2010 to make it more time-befitting.
The government also adopted National Plan for Disaster Management 2010-2015, Cyclone Shelter Construction, Maintenance and Management Policy, 2011, she added.
The Prime Minister hoped that the observance of International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction would expedite disaster preparedness activities in Bangladesh and ensure participation of
people with disabilities.