Says Prof Jamilur Reza Choudhury
There must be a stronger and more coordinated disaster management system in case of future disasters like that of Rana Plaza collapse, said Prof Jamilur Reza Choudhury, adviser to a former caretaker government, yesterday. He was addressing a workshop titled “Urban Disaster Response and Lessons Learnt from the Rana Plaza Collapse” organised by Safety Assistance for Emergencies (SAFE) in the Edward M Kennedy Center in the capital.
Rescue volunteers must be trained and equipped to deal with such incidents in the most efficient manner possible, he said.
“This is not to undermine the zeal and enthusiasm of the volunteers who had extended all their support, but rather to ensure that just disasters are handled efficiently,” he said.
Referring to Kaykobad Ezaz, one of the volunteers who died during the rescue operation in the collapsed building, he said such a system would ensure that rescue personnel do not end up in situations which put them at risk.
SAFE Chairperson Sadar Saaz Siddiqui said the situation after the Rana Plaza collapse required untrained volunteers to make the rescue effort successful.
Maj Kazi Shakil Hossain, deputy director of Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence, said the amount of effort that went into making the Rana Plaza rescue operation successful shows how much more effort will be needed in case of a disaster of a bigger scale.
In addition, the location of the Rana Plaza building provided a vantage point to the rescuers, as it was located near the highway and also close to Dhaka city, he added.
Rescue volunteers present in the event urged the authorities concerned to arrange counselling services for those who had participated in the operation since many are still suffering from trauma.
-With The Daily Star input
