“Let the new era of the Disaster Management Fund begin with Chittagong District”

A workshop titled "Exploring Pathways to Institutionalize the Disaster Management Fund (DMF) for Anticipatory Action" was held today at the Peninsula, Chattogram, bringing together key government officials and humanitarian actors to advance forecast-based disaster preparedness in one of Bangladesh's most hazard-prone regions.

The event was jointly organized by YPSA, Save the Children, and RIMES, with support from the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO). At the center of the discussions was a collective push to transform the DMF from a traditional post-disaster relief mechanism into a strategic, proactive financing instrument capable of supporting anticipatory actions ahead of severe landslides and flash floods in Chattogram.

The workshop was chaired by Pathan Md Saiduzzaman, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Education & ICT), and attended by Chief Guest K.M. Abdul Wadud, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR). In-depth keynote presentations were delivered by Deputy Secretaries Asim Chandra Banik and Sanzida Yasmin of MoDMR, outlining the structure, potential, and operational challenges of the DMF. Opening remarks were offered by Nasim Banu, Director of YPSA, followed by a conceptual presentation from Fatema Meherunnessa.

Local authorities—including UNOs from Hathazari and Anwara, AC Land of Chattogram City, Chattogram Metropolitan Police, DRRO, PIO, DPHE, and FSCD officials—played an active role in identifying operational bottlenecks and proposing actionable solutions. Their participation ensured that the recommendations emerging from the workshop were aligned with the realities faced at the local level.

During the open discussion, participants emphasized the urgent need to decentralize access to the Disaster Management Fund, allowing District and Upazila administrations to draw funds rapidly and strategically based on early warning triggers. These collective recommendations will now guide upcoming advocacy efforts with MoDMR to strengthen localized financing mechanisms, enhance preparedness, and protect vulnerable communities from climate-induced hazards.

In his remarks, Mr Abdul Wadud said the DMF was established in 2012 and further strengthened through regulations introduced in 2021. Highlighting its applicability for both natural and human-made disasters, he pointed out that Bangladesh now has nearly 8 million volunteers. He also announced that the government is developing a National Volunteer Policy to establish a digital, disaster-based volunteer deployment system capable of mobilizing support across regions.

The Chair reiterated the importance of operationalizing the DMF at both national and local levels, noting that efforts to activate the fund have already begun. He urged Upazila administrations to submit necessary funding requests, which will be forwarded to the ministry for approval. This, he said, will accelerate the institutionalization and strengthening of the DMF, paving the way for a new era in Bangladesh's disaster preparedness and response.