We highly appreciate the government for launching national roadmap for establishing Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS) with an aim to ensure that people of the country receive timely and effective alert against climate-related disasters. Every year, vulnerable people bear the brunt of climate-induced calamities like tropical cyclone, tidal surge, drought and flash flood. So, the initiative taken by the government is praise-worthy as, we hope, it will play an important role in protecting lives of people and national resources from such disasters.
People of the country, particularly those living in the coastal areas, are worst affected by climate disasters which result in loss of lives and national resources. Sufferings of the affected people know no bounds as they lose everything they have due to the calamities.
An early warning system is an integrated system that uses sensors, monitoring, and communication networks to predict and provide timely warnings of impending hazards like natural disasters or health risks. The goal is to give individuals and communities enough time to take action to reduce harm, saving lives and livelihoods. Effective systems include hazard monitoring, risk assessment, communication and preparedness activities.
A news item headlined “Govt launches national roadmap for early warning systems” was published in the Monday’s issue of the Bangladesh Post. This initiative offers a ray of hope for the people vulnerable to climate disasters.
The roadmap was launched at the National Early Warnings for All (EW4ALL) Dissemination and Sharing Workshop on Sunday. The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief arranged the event with support from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), Bangladesh Red Crescent Society and World Food Programme (WFP).
This initiative aligns with the global ‘Early Warnings for All’ campaign announced by the UN Secretary General in 2022, which seeks to bring the entire world under early warning coverage by 2027.
Adviser to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief Faruk E Azam said that the roadmap for early warning systems reflects a national commitment to protect vulnerable people of the country. “This roadmap is not just a plan. It is our commitment to the people of Bangladesh to minimize the loss of lives of people living in disaster-prone areas and to protect our limited resources,” he told the programme.
Kabir Md Ashraf Alam, Secretary of the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, said, “Our goal is clear. We want to ensure that every person in Bangladesh receives timely and effective early warnings.”
“Early warning is not merely a tool. It is a fundamental right. Preparedness saves lives and resources. Effective systems support human security, economic stability and sustainable development,” said Swedish Ambassador to Bangladesh Nicolas Weeks.
We hope the roadmap for early warning systems will play a significant role in protecting lives of people and national resources during any disasters caused by the impact of climate change.
