Early warning systems to significantly reduce disaster losses: state minister for water resources
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Experts, policymakers, development practitioners and disaster management specialists on Monday stressed the need for strengthening early warning systems and disaster risk financing mechanisms to reduce losses from natural disasters and enhance community resilience in Bangladesh.
They made the observations at a multi-stakeholder consultation workshop on “Early Warning Systems and Disaster Risk Financing” organized by Practical Action at a hotel in Dhaka on June 22.
State Minister for Water Resources Forhad Hossain Azad, attended the event as the chief guest. Special guests included Director General of the Department of Disaster Management Razwanur Rahman, Additional Director General of the Bangladesh Water Development Board Md Ruhul Amin, and Executive Director of COAST Foundation Rezaul Karim Chowdhury.
Ishrat Shabnam, Country Director of Practical Action Bangladesh delkivered ther welcome address.
Forhad Hossain Azad said access to reliable early warning data remains limited in many areas. He stressed the importance of delivering warning messages in simple Bangla so rural communities can easily understand and act upon them.
He said timely warning could minimize disaster-induced losses.
A project brief was presented by Palash Sarker, Project Manager, and Tamanna Rahman, Thematic Lead for Climate Resilience at Practical Action Bangladesh.
During the workshop, Practical Action introduced a new project titled “Strengthening Human-Centered Innovation for Early Warning Systems and Disaster Risk Financing (SHIELD)” in Feni district.
The initiative expands the organisation’s previous work in Khulna, Satkhira and Faridpur districts. The project will be implemented by COAST Foundation and is funded by the Swiss Re Foundation with co-financing from the Z Zurich Foundation.
Ishrat Shabnam said the project would address climate risks in Feni through the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies for early warning dissemination.
It will also promote impact-based forecasting and disaster risk financing with technical support from the Institute of Water and Flood Management (IWFM) of BUET.
Razwanur Rahman said Bangladesh is advancing efforts under the United Nations’ “Early Warning for All” initiative, which aims to ensure universal access to life-saving warning systems by 2027.
Rakesh Supkar, Asia Regional Head of Impact and Operations at Practical Action, said effective early warning messages can help people take timely action and reduce disaster risks. He noted that disasters not only claim lives but also destroy livelihoods, making community preparedness essential.
Rezaul Karim Chowdhury said disaster response should go beyond relief distribution and focus on long-term recovery and food security.
He expressed hope that the SHIELD project would help communities build resilience through innovation, early warnings and disaster risk financing.