Bangladesh has embarked on a critical journey to revive and operationalize its Disaster Management Information Centers (DMICs), following the unveiling of a landmark study of ADPC at a high-level workshop held on 14 May 2025 in Cox's Bazar, one of the country's most disaster-prone districts and home to the world's largest refugee population. The workshop was organized under the Bangladesh Preparedness Partnership (BPP), led by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR) with technical support from the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) and financial support from the Gates Foundation.

Between 2018 and 2024, the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) constructed 65 multi-storied DMIC buildings at district and upazila levels. These centers were envisioned as crucial hubs for collecting, storing, analyzing, and disseminating disaster-related information at both national and sub-national levels. The core objective was to ensure timely and reliable communication before, during, and after disasters to support coordinated action, risk mitigation, and resilience-building.

The study, titled "Strengthening Disaster Management Information Centers," presents an in-depth analysis of DMICs across Cox's Bazar, Kurigram, and Bagerhat districts and recommends a phased roadmap for revitalization. The study reveals that most DMICs remain underutilized due to outdated equipment, staff shortages, lack of digital integration, absence of legal recognition, and insufficient funding.

To address existing gaps, the study outlines 32 recommendations, including the establishment of a legal framework for DMIC operations, modernization of IT infrastructure, and enhancement of data storage capabilities. It also highlights the need for public-private partnerships to secure funding, collaboration with mobile network operators for SMS-based alerts, and the creation of a DMIC Training Academy with universities and international agencies. Regular simulation exercises and a dedicated maintenance budget are also essential for ensuring the long-term functionality of the DMIC network.

The dissemination workshop, attended by government departments, development partners, municipalities, and civil society organizations. The workshop reviewed key findings of the study and identified short-term, medium, and long-term priorities. Stakeholders endorsed the creation of a "Cox's Bazar Model DMIC" to serve as a scalable and replicable prototype for nationwide implementation.

With a clear roadmap and strong stakeholder engagement, the study underscores the urgent need to transform DMICs into functional, data-driven hubs at the heart of Bangladesh's disaster preparedness and response system.