IOM steps up cyclone preparation efforts

GBNEWS24DESK//

IOM has completed a series of events marking our comprehensive disaster-risk reduction effort to upgrade shelters and distribute tools and emergency equipment to the Bangladeshi host community near Cox’s Bazar.

IOM also transferred equipment to emergency response teams – the Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP) – at a 13 January ceremony in Cox’s Bazar, chaired by Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer Muhammad Saiful Islam, where the Upazila Chairman and President of Upazila Disaster Management Committee Md. Nurul Alam participated as Chief Guest. The CPP has also benefitted from comprehensive training and capacity building spearheaded by IOM. The series of events concluded on 15 January under the Disaster Risk Mitigation program funded by ECHO.

Cox’s Bazar is located in one of the world’s most storm-prone regions and cyclone-preparation remains a priority for IOM. Patrick Charignon, program manager for Transition and Recovery Division (TRD) of IOM Cox’s Bazar, said: “The effort represents IOM’s growing commitment to the host community. IOM is increasing its support for the Bangladeshi host community and continues to strengthen disaster response capabilities. We can’t remove the cyclone threat from Cox’s Bazar, but we can help the host community have the knowledge and equipment to reduce the impact of extreme weather.”

Other features of the effort are

Shelter upgrades and reinforcement of high flood and landslide-risk community structures. A total of 12,000 individuals will benefit from shelter upgrades and 18,000 from community-level structure-reinforcements.

IOM has procured search, rescue and first aid emergency equipment for 990 CPP volunteers under 66 rescue units. A total of 48 items of search, rescue and first aid equipment worth US$1,05,969.00 (BDT 89,57,036) were procured and handed over at a 13 January ceremony.

The recent efforts come alongside construction activities to relocate vulnerable houses and clear drainage systems in preparation for the rainy season. A total of 47,931 individuals were recently relocated under this initiative.