Staff Reporter:
Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu has said that ensuring equal facilities for all citi-zens is essential to building a nation based on the principle of “Bangladesh First” (Sobar Agey Bangladesh).
“The Constitution, achieved through the Great War of Liberation, provides equal opportunities for all citi-zens,” he said.
He made the remarks as the chief guest at a program organized by the “Promoting Person with Disability Friendly Inclusive Climate Justice Resilience Practices” (ICJRP) at the Department of Disaster Management in Agargaon in the capital yesterday afternoon.
The minister said persons with disabilities should not be considered marginal stakeholders in disaster manage-ment, but rather as equal-rights-bearing partners.
“Our infrastructure, planning and disaster management systems must be developed keeping their needs and capabilities in mind,” he said.
The minister said all cyclone centres and disaster shelters in the country must be made disability-friendly.
He said they must be equipped with wheelchair-accessible ramps, wide entrances, disability-friendly toilets, and safe mobility arrangements, separate and secure accommodation facilities, and necessary assistive equipment.
He also said disaster early warning messages must be made easy to understand and disseminated through multiple media, taking into account hearing, visual and other types of disabilities.
Director General of the Department of Disaster Management Rezwanur Rahman and CPRD Chief Executive Md Shamsuddoha, among others, addressed the program.
