PM hopes to build disaster-tolerant, prosperous Bangladesh

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed strong optimism about achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 and building a disaster-tolerant, hunger-poverty-free, and developed-prosperous Bangladesh by 2041.

The premier expressed optimism in a speech on the occasion of 'National Disaster Preparedness Day-2024' on Saturday (March 9).

In her message, the Prime Minister said, "I am happy to know that 'National Disaster Preparedness Day' is being celebrated on March 10 across the country like every year. This year's theme 'Durjog Prostuti te Lorbo, Smart Sonar Bangla Gorbo' is a timely one."

She said, "Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had established the Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP) to reduce disaster risks and protect the life and property of the people from cyclones. The greatest Bangalee of all-time also had constructed 172 'Killas', known as 'Mujib Killas'. The incumbent government has been able to bring down disaster-related death to a single digit by using modern technology and taking timely preparation."

'Mijib Killas' has been expanded and modernized to make those safe shelters for people and livestock', she added.

Being trained in modern training, men and women (volunteers) are working shoulder to shoulder in reducing disaster risks, she said, adding that the government has ensured women's empowerment in the CPP.

As a result, sustainable development goals have been achieved in disaster risk reduction management, she said, adding that therefore, the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief has bagged the honorary United Nations Public Service Award-2021 in the Gender Responsive category.

Bangladesh has met cent percent conditions of the 'Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction', she said, adding that it is being widely appreciated globally.

The Prime Minister said the government has formulated the 'Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100' attaching priority to reducing losses of disasters and climate change impacts.

"We will be able to build a disaster-tolerant, hungry and poverty-free developed Bangladesh by 2041 through achieving Sustainable Development Goals by 2030," she added.