WFP holds disaster simulation workshop

A three-day-long disaster simulation workshop initiated by United Nations World Food Program (UNWFP) has commenced from August 27 in the capital’s Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel.

Hundreds of delegates from UN, NGOs and the government participated in the workshop where they discussed the supply of goods and services needed during such excavations. 

During the workshop, participants were asked to design, fine-tune and present responses in reducing the impact of a future urban earthquake.

Each team’s operational plan was evaluated by a panel of Government officials who oversee and coordinate the country’s emergency response.

The workshop was jointly organized by Bangladesh Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR), the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), and the United Nations Global Logistics Cluster.

“Today, the frequency of disasters has increased globally, making emergency preparedness and disaster management one of the most pressing issues worldwide,” said Richard Ragan, the Director of WFP Bangladesh.

“I am pleased to see emergency logistics stakeholders from various humanitarian, government, academic and private sector groups come together to participate in this much-needed logistics and supply-chain simulation exercise,” he added.

At the workshop, Minister of State for Disaster Management Md Enamur Rahman said, "While cyclones, floods and landslides may pose a greater risk to Bangladesh, we must learn from the 2015 earthquake in Nepal and the level of loss felt by Kathmandu, and be prepared for the unexpected.”

Bangladesh sits on a three-way junction of major tectonic plates, atop the world’s largest river delta and close to sea level. This makes it vulnerable to natural hazards such as earthquake, flooding and tsunamis.

By examining supply chain operations in emergency situations, the participants gained a better understanding of how such disasters could impact relief operations and the best methods to mitigate its impact.

The workshop is being held from 9 am to 6 pm and will conclude on August 29.