Community Radio’s Vital Role in Early Warning Dissemination and Disaster Prevention

The BCRA Secretariat attended the “Second Partnership Dialogue on Early Warning and Disaster Prevention,” jointly organized by Bangladesh Television and the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) at the Bangladesh Television Headquarters in Dhaka. BCRA highlighted how community radios have been playing a vital role in emergency early warning dissemination, as well as during and post-disaster responses, in the coastal belt and all over the country. As Cyclone Remal hit Bangladesh, all nine coastal radio stations relentlessly broadcasted programs and supported people by providing information about cyclone shelters for people and cattle, and available emergency life-saving services offered by the government and other humanitarian organizations.

Mr. Humayun Kabir Khondokar, Senior Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting; Mr. Netai Chandra Dey Sarker, Director, Department of Disaster Management, Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief; Mr. Muhammad Abul Kalam Mollik, Meteorologist, Bangladesh Meteorological Department, Ministry of Defense; Ms. Syeda Tasmina Ahmed, Deputy Director General (News), Bangladesh Television, Ms. Natalia Ilieva, ABU Advisor External Projects, Global Manager WBU/UNDRR Media Saving Lives initiative, Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union-ABU, Mr. Syed Tarikul Islam, General Secretary, BCRA and CEO of Radio Naf, Ms. Sumita Rabidas, Cordinator, BCRA and a representative of Bangladesh Betar were present in the dialogue.