State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr. Enamur Rahman said, 'Telecommunication services are very important in dealing with disasters. Telecommunication service is needed in any disaster. If the government's message is disseminated through this service, the amount of damage during disasters is reduced'.
He said, we have to create a communication system. Telecommunication is essential for early warning of disasters.
The State Minister made these remarks while addressing the chief guest at a seminar titled "Telecommunications Sector During Disasters: Pre and Post Strategies and Actions" at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center at Agargaon in Dhaka on Friday.
The state minister said that in 1991, due to the negligence of the BNP government, nearly two lakh people died in the flood. After we came to power under the leadership of Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, 'Disaster Management Act 2012' and then 'Disaster Management Policy 2015' were made. In this policy everything is said about dealing with disasters. The latest Disaster Standing Orders or SOD (Revised)-2019 have been enacted. He also said that it has been clearly stated in the SOD who has to fulfill what responsibility in any disaster.
He further said that it is our responsibility to provide good service to the people and it is because we got the help of telecommunication while providing this service that it was possible to deal with such a big flood situation in Sylhet and Sunamganj so beautifully.
Engineer Riaz Ahmed, Commissioner of BTRC, Dr Rafiqul Matin, Former Managing Director of BTCL, Brigadier General Iqbal Ahmed, Director of Signal Directorate of Army were present as special guests in the event. Director General of BTRC Brigadier General Md. Nasim Parvez presented the main article in the seminar.
Speakers in the seminar said, we have to keep the exchange open in any disaster. Because communication is very important in a disaster. So we have to seal the generator room. The power of the generator should be maintained during the disaster. For this, a strong solar system should be kept. Dealing with disasters has to be done digitally. They also said that they have to deal with it not only alone but collectively.