The Emergency Disaster Management Coordination Center, operated by A-PAD Bangladesh, serves as a regional resource center for sharing disaster-related information. It is established in eight divisions of Bangladesh (Barisal, Chittagong, Khulna, Sylhet, Dhaka, Rajshahi, Rangpur, and Mymensingh), and is typically used as a venue for meetings, training sessions, and workshops. In the event of a disaster, the center works with medical professionals from partner organizations, private organizations, and local governments to provide emergency medical and health services.

On March 15, staff from the A-PAD Tokyo Office visited Dhaka to check the progress of the capacity building project for Sustainable Disaster Management Networks through Multi-Sector Disaster Response Platforms.

 

The three staff members stationed at the Emergency Disaster Management Coordination Center make rounds of the region, mainly in the surrounding slums, and raise awareness on disaster preparedness, health, and hygiene. Although the center does not provide medical care, it disseminates important information, holds meetings and training sessions, coordinates with partner organizations and local governments, and builds networks to respond quickly in the event of a disaster.

When the center was first established a few years ago, many residents asked for material support, and sometimes they did not understand the importance of the center’s activities. However, they have gradually come to understand the need for improvements in disaster preparedness, fire prevention, and sanitary conditions, and the staff are feeling the results of their efforts.

Recently, a person who runs a rice warehouse came to the center to ask for advice on how to prevent fires in the slums, and the center discussed countermeasures. In order to ensure that fires can be dealt with immediately, the center also shared the direct numbers of the local fire and police stations and proposed that information be shared.

The center is also receiving more and more inquiries about health issues. For example, in response to a young man’s inquiry about a family suffering from a rash, the center provided hygiene guidance, shared how to use medicine, and how to wash clothes every day. When a woman in her late pregnancy contacted the center due to needing a c-section, the center consulted with a partner medical institution.

A-PAD is making every effort to meet the needs of the local people by making use of our daily network and coordinating where support is possible.

*This project is implemented with the support of the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs NGO Partnership Grant Assistance “Capacity Building Project for Sustainable Disaster Management Networks through Multi-Sector Disaster Response Platforms.”