Stakeholders of the recently launched Strengthening Earthquake Resilience Bangladesh (SERB) gathered for a 1-day project design workshop last week. Described as successful, the workshop was utilized as an information-sharing platform for strengthening Hospital Preparedness for Emergencies (HOPE), Hospital Incident Command System (HICS), and improving search and rescue equipment. The workshop also discussed cross-cutting issues such as gender equity.

Discussions at the workshop aimed to maintain coordination in times of emergencies essential for the efficiency and effectiveness of emergency response. Also, participants shared perspectives on how to avoid activity duplications and ensure project sustainability.

Participants included by were not limited to officials from National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine; Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief; Fire Service and Civil Defense; Bangladesh Red Crescent Society; Department of Disaster Management; Sylhet Medical College Hospital; Centre for Medical Education; Chittagong Medical College and community volunteers, to list a few.

United States Agency for International Development (USAID) provides support to the project (SERB) and will be implemented by Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC).

The program aims at earthquake capacity building of the Bangladesh Government and will take a two-fold approach: (i) Enhancing the capacity of hospital management staff (doctors, nurses, administration staff, others) in 12 public hospitals in the cities of Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet to be better prepared for mass casualties after an earthquake: and (ii) Strengthening the capacity of Fire Service and Civil Defense Authority volunteers by equipping them with necessary equipment to conduct search and rescue operations due to disasters.