We organized a ‘Consultation Workshop on Developing National Early Action Protocol (NEAP) for Landslides in Bangladesh’ to initiate systemic action against the rising risk of landslides in the coastal areas of Bangladesh. The comprehensive framework will focus on early warning systems, roles and responsibilities, trigger mechanisms, and community preparedness, enabling local communities to anticipate and effectively respond to landslides.
The framework development is part of our continuous effort under the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO)-funded Anticipatory Action for Landslides initiative. We collaborated with RIMES and the Department of Disaster Management to develop the NEAP. The protocol is being developed to be integrated into the national framework with a focus on early warning, roles and responsibilities of stakeholders, trigger mechanisms, and community preparedness.
Mr. K. M. Abdul Wadud, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief and Chairman of the FbF/A Taskforce, attended the event as Chief Guest. He stated,
The Standing Orders on Disaster (SOD) serve as a policy-level guideline, while the Landslide Early Action Protocol will act as a hazard-specific operational guideline, clearly defining responsibilities during a landslide incident. According to the SOD, National Emergency Operation Centres should be established to effectively manage any disaster or accident. Furthermore, disaster management must be institutionalized through dedicated fund allocations, with measures in place to ensure the engagement of all levels of command. Under the Ansar Act 2023, 5.9 million VDP members have been given roles in early warning dissemination, while the National Platform of Volunteers includes 8.9 million registered organizational volunteers—both of which can play a crucial role in implementing landslide anticipatory action initiatives.
Mr. Razwanur Rahman, Director General of the Department of Disaster Management, joined as the Special Guest.
SCI, UNDP, WFP, FAO and Caritas all are working in Chattogram hill tract for landslide anticipatory actions but there is of need government coordination like DMC formation related challenges they are facing. Initiatives like this are contributing to reducing the casualties during landslide incidents. I am hopeful that we will be able to develop comprehensive landslide early action protocols similar to flood and cyclone by using all our expertise and experiential knowledge from government and development partners.
