The project, USAID’s Strengthening Earthquake Resilience Bangladesh (SERB) was launched by His Excellency Mr. Dan Mozena, US Ambassador to Bangladesh on 26 August 2013 in Mirpur, Bangladesh. Implemented by Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) and funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the project focuses on earthquake capacity building of the Bangladesh Government.

The project aims at enhancing the capacity of hospital management staff, such as doctors, nurses, and administration staff in 12 public hospitals in the cities of Chittagong, Dhaka, and Sylhet to be better prepared for mass casualties after an earthquake. Another aim is to strengthen the capacity of fire service and civil defense authority volunteers by equipping them with necessary tools to conduct search and rescue operations in the aftermath of disasters.

“Dhaka is one of the top 20 cities most vulnerable to earthquakes,” says DDM Director General, Abdul Wazed. “This fact is coupled with a rapidly growing urban population and insecure infrastructure.”

The launching ceremony was also attended by Honorable Secretary Mr. M M Neazuddin from Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) of Government of Bangladesh, Mission Director Mr. Richard Greene from USAID-Bangladesh, Director General Mr. Abdul Wazed from Department of Disaster Management (DDM), and Director General Brig. General Ali Ahmed from Fire Service and Civil Defense (FSCD). Together with US Ambassador Mr. Mozena they all appreciated the role of ADPC and its capacity in disaster management in public health emergencies globally, particularly in Asia.

Earlier this month, a design workshop on the project was held in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Various stakeholders including directors of several public hospitals attended.