The Bangladesh Preparedness Partnership (BPP) partners reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening disaster management and response for a stronger, safer Bangladesh during the Bi-Monthly Coordination Meeting held in Dhaka on 26 May 2025. The event was hosted by the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), the country’s largest apex business forum.

From left: Mr. KM Abdul Wadud, Additional Secretary, MoDMR; Prof. Mahbuba Nasreen, Co-founder, IDMVS; Mr. Md. Alamgir Secretary General, FBCCI), and Brig. Gen. (Ret’d) Abu Nayeem Md. Shahidullah, FBCCI Safety Council, speaking at the BPP Coordination Meeting

The gathering brought together over 40 representatives from five government ministries and departments (Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Fire Service and Civil Defense, Cyclone Preparedness Program and Department of Disaster Management), two leading academic institutions (University of Dhaka and BRAC University), the private sector entity (FBCCI), four NGOs, and several civil society organizations ( NAHAB, CDD, Foundation for Disaster Forum, BRAC) —underscoring the momentum behind Bangladesh’s "Whole-of-Society" approach to disaster resilience.

Representatives from the Ministry of Women Affairs express their full support for BPP’s localization efforts, pledging nationwide collaboration through their offices across the country. On her right sits Mr. KM Abdul Wadud, Additional Secretary of MoDRM

Led by MoDMR with technical support from Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) and funding from the Gates Foundation, BPP aims to operationalize the Standing Order on Disaster (SOD) 2019 through inclusive, multi-stakeholder engagement at both national and local levels. A high-level Mobilization Desk, comprising senior government officials, ensures continued coordination, with partners meeting every two months to share progress and thematic discussions aimed at shaping disaster preparedness efforts.

The meeting was presided over by Mr. KM Abdul Wadud, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR) and Chair of the BPP Mobilization Desk. Key speakers included Mr. Md Alamgir, Secretary General of FBCCI; Professor Mahbuba Nasreen, Co-founder of the Institute of Disaster Management and Vulnerability Studies (IDMVS), University of Dhaka; and Brigadier General (Ret’d) Abu Nayeem Md Shahidullah, Adviser to FBCCI Safety Council. Ms. Shivani Gupta, Project Management Specialist from ADPC Bangkok joined the meeting virtually.

In his remarks, Mr. Wadud thanked ADPC for its continued support and urged all partners to work in unison to strengthen disaster management efforts. He emphasized the need to revitalize the District Disaster Management Fund (DDMF) for effective local resource mobilization and highlighted the importance of raising public awareness under the "Early Warning for All" framework. "Disaster awareness remains alarmingly low, even in urban areas," he noted, calling for better volunteer coordination through a national platform.

Mr. Md. Anisur Rahman, Consultant of BPP, presented on PROMOTS—an innovative initiative by BPP that will serve as a vital tool for monitoring and tracking the progress of the upcoming NPDM 2026–2030. Seated to his left is Dr. Mohammad Ahsan Ullah, Senior

FBCCI Secretary General Md Alamgir underscored the private sector’s vital role in disaster preparedness. He pointed to FBCCI’s establishment of a Safety Council and localized Safety Cells in disaster-prone regions as key contributions aligned with national disaster guidelines. "We are working collectively—across sectors and with international partners—to build the country’s resilience," he stated.Professor Mahbuba Nasreen highlighted the value of the bi-monthly coordination meeting as a vital platform for mutual learning and cross-sector collaboration. "BPP is the only platform in Bangladesh that brings all sectors together at one table, primarily to operationalize the Standing Orders on Disaster (SOD) 2019. This presents a great opportunity for all disaster management actors in the country," added Professor Dr. Mahbuba Nasreen of the Institute of Disaster Management and Vulnerability Studies, University of Dhaka.

During the meeting, partners shared progress updates and plans under BPP. Academic institutions presented findings from the recent SOD 2019 baseline scoping assessment and updates on the Response Capacity Index (RCI), a tool used to assess local disaster readiness. The NGO sector showcased inclusive, community-based disaster preparedness initiatives, while the private sector provided updates on their progress and outlined future plans. Dr. Mohammad Ahsan Ullah of ADPC presented recent achievements and upcoming milestones in BPP’s strategic roadmap, along with key action points agreed upon by all partners to guide the way forward.

Participants also engaged in developing the National Plan for Disaster Management (NPDM) Progress Monitoring and Tracking System (PROMOTS) and proposed indicators for the 50 targets of NPDM 2021–2025. The group findings were presented during the meeting for finalization.

"Developing PROMOTS is an innovative initiative of BPP and will serve as a vital tool for monitoring and tracking the progress of the next NPDM 2026–2030. MoDMR, DDM, or any relevant government agency, as well as national, international, and UN partners, can use this system to effectively measure and understand the achievements of the NPDM," said Mr. KM Abdul Wadud, Additional Secretary of MoDMR and Chair of the BPP Mobilization Desk.

The meeting closed with a renewed commitment to advancing disaster resilience in Bangladesh through coordinated action, innovation, and a people-centered approach.